LONDON (AFP) - The former flatmate of late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile was to appear in court on Saturday having been charged with a series of sexual offences against young girls.

Ray Teret, 72, Savile's former flatmate and chauffeur, was charged on Friday with 32 offences involving 15 different victims who accuse him of sexual abuse between 1962 and 1996.

Police have stressed that the accusations are not linked to the national inquiry into historic allegations of abuse by Savile, which were sparked by posthumous revelations.

Detectives in that separate operation believe Savile was one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders.

Among the charges Teret faces are 15 counts of rape of a female under 16; one count of rape; one count of attempted rape of a female under 16; six counts of indecent assault of a female under 16; three counts of indecent assault of a female under 14; and one count of gross indecency with a child under 13.

Teret is to appear at Manchester City Magistrates Court on Saturday, the police said.

"This has been a complex investigation that was originally launched in October 2012 when an initial complaint was made to Greater Manchester Police," said the force's Detective Chief Inspector Graham Brock.

"Since that time, we have carried out extensive and wide-ranging inquiries and interviewed a number of people as part of that investigation.

"It is now very important that we make no further comment and allow the correct legal process to take its course unimpeded and without prejudice.

"We will continue to support all those women who have come forward and offer them whatever welfare they need through the use of specially-trained officers."