A 66-year-old catholic priest who admitted sexually abusing five boys 25 years ago has been jailed for two and a half years.

Franics Bligh abused the boys, aged between 11 and 15, at St Mary's College, Grange-over-Sands.

Preston Crown Court heard how he orchestrated situations where he could be alone with them.

Judge Peter Openshaw QC told Bligh: "The sentence of the court must reflect public condemnation and outrage at such offences."

Mr David Pickup, prosecuting, told the court St Mary's College was a residential junior seminary operated by the Catholic church. Bligh was appointed as a roving ambassador with a brief to recruit suitable boys for the seminary, which educated boys who had been selected as potential candidates for the priesthood.

One of Bligh's victims was 11 when he became a pupil. He was grabbed from behind while walking up stairs towards the chapel. He touched the boy and pressed his cheek against the boy's and tried to kiss him. He was interrupted by someone else.

Mr Pickup said the boy was indecently assaulted on further occasions in the corridors leading to the crypts.

"In an effort to escape the boy feigned appendicitis. Following an unnecessary operation to remove his appendix and a period of recovery at home, he was returned to the seminary. Eventually he persuaded his parents to withdraw him," said Mr Pickup.

The offences were reported in the 1990s to the Major Superior of the Fathers of the Holy Ghost.

Another boy was warned not to be alone with the defendant. "Two or three weeks after arriving at the school, he was placed on the rota to serve at the altar during Father Bligh's mass in the crypt.

"After mass, the defendant approached the boy at the serving table between the altar and the wall of the crypt.

"He turned the boy around and spoke softly to him before kissing him on the cheeks."

Despite being told by the boy that he 'did not like it' Father Bligh proceeded to indecently assault the boy before he was interrupted by noises outside. He said two other assaults took place in a similar manner.

Another boy who was abused was also warned to stay away from the defendant.

When they were alone, another boy was told it was all right for men to kiss and Bligh told him about Judas kissing Jesus.

The boy was kissed on numerous occasions. Matters cane to light when they were raised with the headmaster. Bligh denied the allegations, but was told to leave and never return.

When interviewed, Bligh said he was sexually attracted to young boys and needed to restrain himself in their presence.

Mr David Aaronberg, defending, said Bligh accepted his offences had had an impact on his victims and he now understood the harm that had been done. Bligh had: "Had a tussle with himself facing up to what he had done."

Bligh now worked in the church with the elderly and infirm. He had devoted his life to helping others.

He had no money or assets and had lost his previous good character and reputation.

Bligh, who admitted ten counts of indecent assault, was also placed of the Sex Offenders' Register for life and was disqualified from working with children for at least 10 years until lifted by a tribunal.