AN Accrington man has been banned from contacting children under 18 as part of a new sex offences order.

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is said to be the first person in the country to be controlled by the new Sex Offences Act 2003, which came into force earlier this month.

The man recently moved to the Accrington area, and police became concerned over his actions. If he breaks the order, he could face up to five years in jail.

So the force applied to Hyndburn Magistrates Court for an interim Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prevents him from committing certain acts.

In this case the man was banned from associating with or contacting a child under the age of 18, associating with or contacting a child under the age of 18 via a third party, and contacting a child under the age of 18 via an electronic transmission.

The order is interim, which means that a full hearing will take place in the future, so the man can defend himself or the police can vary the order.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter of Accrington police said: "The public protection unit will seek to use the new act where we think it is appropriate to protect the most vulnerable people in the community from people who pose a significant risk or threat.

"As soon as we get transfers from outside the area we will do our own risk assessment.

"That may lead us to believe that person poses a threat."