A TERRIBLE picture of child torture, sex abuse and neglect was revealed in the NSPCC's annual report - and East Lancashire was not spared.

Throughout the county, there was a 24 per cent increase in sex abuse cases dealt with by the charity.

A special NSPCC team was working closely the social services department in East Lancashire and had reported growing concern.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.