Police have charged a 29-year-old former police officer with 11 child sex offences.

Nicholas Pool, of Newton Rigg, Penrith, will appear via video link at North and West Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Carlisle this morning.

The charges, which follow a proactive police investigation, are:

· Three counts of making indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

· Two counts of possession of indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

· Six counts of attempting to cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Mr Pool was dismissed without notice from Cumbria Constabulary at a Misconduct Special Case Hearing earlier this month.