A MAN is due to appear in court after allegedly exposing himself to women in a nature reserve near Chester-le-Street.

The 24-year-old was arrested following an investigation into multiple reports of a man exposing himself on Waldridge Fell, an area popular with dog walkers. 

There have been a number of reports since September 9. 

The man has been charged with harassment, outraging public decency, two counts of exposure and driving without insurance and will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on October 31 

The investigation was carried out by the Operation Winter Nights team at Durham Police.

When the suspect was linked to a vehicle seen in the area, officers were able to identify the man through digital inquiries.

Detective Inspector Tonya Cook said: “This is a great example of the work done by the Winter Nights team, which stretches far beyond burglaries and vehicle crime.

“The team is also deployed to community issues like this – which left the whole community with a feeling of unease - where there is a high level of risk of harm.”