A 78-year-old man who lured boys to his home with the promise of cigarettes and soft porn before sexually abusing them, has been jailed for two years.

Boys aged 12 and 15 fell prey to the desires of bachelor Anthony Eccleston after he enticed them into his home in Albion Street, Earby, during the summer holidays last year.

Eccleston carried out a sex act on one 15-year-old, who had learning difficulties, and then tried to get the boy to have sex with him, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Jailing him, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “You permitted these youths to come to your home, you gave them inducements, you gave them cigarettes and access to soft porn magazines. In return you sexually assaulted them.”

Eccleston admitted engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, sexual assault, penetrative sexual activity with a child, attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and sexual activity with a child.

Judge Lunt also imposed a 10-year sexual offences prevention order which prohibits the defendant from 'inviting, enticing or allowing' any person under 16 into his home. He must also sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Prosecutor Emma Whaites said three friends, two aged 15 and one 12, visited Eccleston's home after he offered them free cigarettes.

During one visit Eccleston put his hand down the pants of a 12-year-old boy, who told him to stop. The pensioner also tried to kiss him and grabbed his bottom.

Another time Eccleston gave the boys soft porn magazines to read. Later the group moved to his bedroom, where Eccleston carried out a sex act on one of the 15 year olds. He also tried to get the same boy to have sex with him, as his two friends looked on.

One of the 15 year old’s parents became concerned when they discovered the friends had been at Eccleston's home and alerted police, said Miss Whaites.

Richard Taylor, defending, said: “The opportunity and the temptation arose and he succumbed, and he accepts that. He is not proud of what he has done and through me wishes to apologise.”