Ex-Catholic teacher faces sex charges

A former Catholic school teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting students more than 30 years ago.

The 81-year-old man was arrested at his home on the NSW north coast on Tuesday.

The arrest comes as police investigate historical abuse at a Catholic school in Lismore.

The former teacher allegedly assaulted students at the boarding school between 1977 and 1986.

He was charged with 19 offences, including sexual assault and detaining a person for advantage.

He was granted bail to appear in Lismore Local Court on October 20.