A PERVERT teacher who hoarded child porn on his computer is facing prison.

Paul Hassall, a former swimming instructor at Bolton School, admitted creating a library of child porn images at his home.

Hassall, aged 42, of Greenleach Lane, Worsley, pleaded guilty to 17 offences relating to child pornography when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday.

He has been banned from working with children for life, and told he must prepare to be sent to prison.

The court was told that images of children were discovered on Hassall's computer when police were called in November, 2004, to investigate an alleged sex offence on a 16-year-old boy.

A charge of abusing his position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a child was allowed to lie on file after the teenager concerned later said he did not want to give evidence at trial.

Hassall will be sentenced on February 22 at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of possessing indecent photographs of children and 16 counts of making indecent photographs of children.

Judge Peter Lakin said: "You have pleaded guilty to very serious matters and you must be prepared for the fact that the court may choose a custodial sentence."

Lisa Judge, prosecuting, told the court Hassall will be subject to a Sexual Prevention Order which prevents him carrying out paid or unpaid work with children.

He was granted conditional bail and told he must not work with children before sentencing.

Hassall resigned from his post at the beginning of December, 2005.

No-one from Bolton School was available for comment.

When approached at his terraced home, Hassall said: "I've got absolutely nothing to say."

Apart from teaching, Hassall has written two history books which he launched at Boothstown Methodist Primary school in June last year.

The books, entitled Memories of Boothstown and Methodism in Boothstown, published through the Local Heritage Initiative which helped fund the research.