A "despicable" doctor who repeatedly raped a girl from the age of 10 has been kicked out of the profession for life.

Bolton GP Stephen Hamilton was convicted of 13 child sex offences, including rape and sexual assault, following a trial and jailed for 18 years in May 2013.

The 47-year-old, who worked at Heaton Medical Centre, committed the crimes between 2007 and 2009 while his victim was aged between 10 and 12.

Hamilton, who maintains his innocence, failed in a bid to overturn the convictions earlier this year and he was today struck off by a Fitness to Practise panel.

Mr Alan Taylor, GMC Counsel, said in a determination document: "You submitted that Dr Hamilton’s fitness to practise is impaired.

"You reminded the panel that Dr Hamilton is serving an 18 year prison sentence which is a reflection of the gravity of his offences.

"You submitted that it is difficult to imagine more deplorable and despicable conduct than the assault and rape of a female child aged 10-13, over a period of two to two and a half years. "

Hamilton is serving his sentence in Garth Prison, Lancashire, and was not present at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing in Manchester.