West Yorkshire Police are investigating claims of historic abuse of boys at a former missionary school in Mirfield.

Allegations have been made by five men who attended a seminary, known as the Verona Fathers, at Roe Head, in Far Common Road, Mirfield.

They allege abuse there between 1960 and 1980.

The seminary was a boarding school which trained boys to become Catholic missionaries across the globe, particularly in Africa.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said yesterday: “An investigation is ongoing.”

A spokesman for Verona Fathers said: “It was with great sadness and regret that the Verona Fathers learned that a number of allegations of historic abuse had been made relating to their former junior seminary, St Peter’s, based in Mirfield.

“We know that anyone subjected to abusive behaviour will experience suffering and we are dismayed to think that such suffering may have been caused to youngsters who attended our junior seminary.

“If that is the case, we are deeply sorry to anyone who has been hurt in this way and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

“We were not aware of any current police investigation into alleged abuse at the Mirfield seminary.

“Having learnt from reporters that there may be an investigation, we instructed our solicitor to contact West Yorkshire Police. The police confirmed that they had received historic allegations relating to Mirfield, which they are at the early stages of assessing.

“The Verona Fathers will offer the police their full co-operation and assistance with any investigation.”