A MAN has appeared in court charged with the rape of an eight-year-old boy.

Paul O'Brien, aged 40, of Stansfield Close, Tonge Fold, is also charged with two counts of sexual assault against the same boy, 11 counts of making indecent images and one count of possessing indecent images.

Bolton Magistrates Court heard o Thursday that O'Brien had been arrested in London, where he had travelled with the boy, on Tuesday.

A number of items, including CDs, videos, a camera and mobile phones were seized from the car and were examined by police.

The court remanded O'Brien back into police custody to allow officers to investigate further allegations and he will appear at Bolton Magistrates Court at a later date.