A Fylde teenager has been jailed for three years after being convicted of the "calculated grooming" of a 12-year-old schoolgirl for sex.

Civil servant Stephen Jackson, 19, from Wren Close, Thornton, will serve three years in prison after being found guilty of raping his young victim during a trial at Preston Crown Court last week.

The court heard how Jackson began sending text messages to the 12-year-old after meeting her during a line-dancing event.

Jackson then arranged to meet her and carried out consensual sexual acts despite being fully aware of her young age. He was arrested last April after the youngster returned home and told her family what had happened.

Judge Pamela Badley told Jackson he will also be put on the Sex Offender's Register and banned from working with children for an indefinite period after being convicted of a further two counts of sexual activitiy with a 15-year-old girl and two counts of taking indecent photographs.

The detective who led the investigation into Jackson, DC Christine Sudell said: "We are very pleased with the outcome of this investigation which now brings closure for the victims and their families after a long and protracted enquiry."