A PRESTON policeman has appeared in court charged with five offences of making indecent photographs of children.

Paul Alan Thompson, 43, of Preston Marina, Navigation Way, Preston, a serving police officer for Lancashire Constabulary's central division, was dressed in a green coat, beige trousers and striped blue and white shirt as he heard details of the offences read out at Chorley Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Prosecuting solicitor Paul Foster said the offences were serious and that there were further police investigations to be made on computer equipment seized from Mr Thompson's address.

Mr Thompson was bailed for four weeks.

Richard Black, defending solicitor, said during this time Mr Thompson would be living at another address.

Magistrates granted Mr Thompson bail on condition that he surrendered his passport, slept at the address indicated to the bench and reported to the nearest police station twice a week.

Mr Thompson, who has been suspended from duty until further notice, is due to appear again at Chorley Magistrates' Court on Thursday, October 17.

A police spokesperson said: "We can confirm he is a serving police constable based in Lancashire Constabulary's Central division.

"He is suspended from duty until further notice."