A FORMER councillor has admitted possessing thousands of pornographic images of children and animals.

Robert Bate, of Moncrieffe Close, Dudley, was a Tory councillor for Wycombe District Council, in Buckinghamshire, until he resigned from his post in September last year and returned to the Dudley borough.

Appearing at Aylesbury Crown Court today, the 62 year-old, who was also former chairman of Hazlemere Parish Council, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of making indecent photos of children.

Bate admitted four counts of distributing indecent images of children and one charge of possessing to show or distribute indecent photographs of children.

The former Conservative party whip also issued a guilty plea to four counts of possessing extreme pornographic images with animals and a further count of encouraging the commission of an offence.

Sentencing was adjourned until June 19.