A young Hoylake man today admitted a child sex offence and downloading 40,000 indecent images of children.

29-year-old Adam Scaife, who pleaded guilty to a total of 22 offences, is to face sentence next month.

He admitted one offence of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of an underage girl, 20 of making indecent photographs and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the first batch of 15 offences of making indecent images took place June 2009 and March 12 last year and involved more than 18,000 images in all five categories of abuse.

The second batch of six offences, involving more than 22,000 photographs, again in all five categories, were downloaded between April 30, 2010 and March 8 this year.

He also downloaded 360 indecent movies of children.

The charge of sexual activity too place on February 16 last year.

His lawyer John Ballam asked for the case to be adjourned for psychological and pre-sentence reports.

"There are clearly many disturbing features," he said.

Judge David Boulton further remanded Scaife, of Alderley Road, in custody to await sentence on June 13.