A 39-YEAR-OLD man has pleaded guilty to abducting a 13-year-old girl and sexually abusing another.

Dale Michael Walsh, of St James' Street, Blackburn, admitted to a total of 30 offences at Preston Crown Court.

Walsh originally denied five offences of child abduction and three counts of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 13.

Since his initial hearing last year a specialist team of officers have continued their investigations.

And at a new hearing, he pleaded guilty to eight counts of child abduction, eight counts of sexual activity with a child and a further 14 charges of possessing indecent images of children on his computer.

Walsh, a labourer, befriended two 13-year-old girls before systematically abusing one of the girls.

After the case police revealed that he would, whilst they were at his home, contact their schools claiming to be the children's uncle and informed staff they were ill and would not be attending.

The school showed concern about one the 13-year-old girls and contacted police.

The offences took place between October and December last year.

Engage is a team of officers formed by the police and other young people's organisations, to tackle child sexual exploitation in Blackburn.

Engage is a successor to the police campaign, Operation Engage, which targeted teenagers who were being groomed into sexual exploitation.

The issue has been highlighted in the Lancashire Telegraph's high profile Keep Them Safe campaign, which began in 2006.

Det Chief Insp Martin Kay said: "This investigation was carried out by the newly formed multi agency Engage team and we are satisfied with the result which demonstrates that police will carry out robust and thorough investigation on anyone suspected of sexually exploiting children.

"We are extremely grateful to the members of the public who contacted the police helping us to identify and arrest a dangerous offender.

"Police will continue to target anyone suspected of exploiting children."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively anyone who is concerned about sex grooming can speak to one of the Engage team on a dedicated phone line, 01254 267790.

Walsh will be sentenced on May 15.