A PAEDOPHILE pensioner was today starting a 10-year jail sentence for sexually abusing two girls in Burnley.

Herbert George Bridges, 69, from Clitheroe, was said to have shown no remorse for the offences, a court heard.

Meanwhile, police praised the victims for having the courage to come forward to testify.

After the case Detective Constable Jane Lawrenson said: "The victims feel relieved they have come forward about it but they will never be able to forget what happened."

Preston Crown Court was yesterday told that Bridges had emotionally blackmailed or paid the girls up to £25 to keep quiet about the sickening abuse.

Judge Stuart Baker told Bridges, who was said to have shown no remorse and continues to protest his innocence, that a severe jail term was required to show the abhorrence the community felt at his crimes.

Bridges was found guilty by a jury of two attempted rape charges, 11 indecent assaults and one act of gross indecency.

Judge Baker told him: "You were well-respected in the community.

"It must be a most dreadful surprise to them to find out what you have done."

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said of one of the victims: "It has had a devastating effecton her life.

She has felt angry and trapped and became the child from hell.

"She is receiving counselling since the incidents and is very wary of men."

Charles Brown, defending, said Bridges had no previous convictions and asked for his age to be taken into account for sentencing.

Judge Baker also gave Bridges a sex offender order preventing him being in the company of children without an adult supervising, then disqualified him from working with children and ordered him to notify the police of any change of address.

He also put Bridges on an extended licence of three years when he is eventually released from prison.