Disaster aid charity ShelterBox has admitted that it failed to report three allegations of sexual misconduct until at least five years after the alleged incidents.

The BBC revealed on Monday that the charity, which was founded in Helston in 2000, had only reported the matter this month - despite the allegations dating back to "pre-2013."

The Charity Commission told the news organisation that it had received a serious incident report on March 8, regarding "non-recent" incidents, and that it was now looking into it "as a matter of urgency."

The BBC had contacted ShelterBox with questions relating to allegations of staff paying for sex. It has since been confirmed the workers involved in the allegations were subsequently sacked or resigned. 

ShelterBox chief executive Chris Warham has confirmed the incidents did not involve anyone who was being helped by the charity, and they resulted in immediate dismissal and resignation.

The allegations were only uncovered recently, after the charity began a comprehensive safeguarding review in the light of recent events in the sector, including a recent similar scandals involving Oxfam and the Red Cross.

Mr Warham said this review stretched back more than five years to a time when a different chief executive and trustees were in place.

"As part of the review we have discovered three incidents of sexual misconduct which happened before 2013, one of which is unproven. These have now been reported to the Charity Commission and are still under investigation.

"These incidents did not involve the families we help. They were managed swiftly and effectively at the time through immediate dismissal and resignation but were not reported to the Charity Commission, which we should have done," he said.

He also confirmed that no incidents had taken place since 2013 that would require reports to the Commission.

"We have a code of conduct, safeguarding, protection and whistleblowing policies in place, as well as appropriate training for staff and volunteers.

"To ensure best practice, we intend to commission an external audit of our safeguarding policies and practices.

"In the meantime, we will continue to work with the Charity Commission on the reported incidents," added Mr Warham.