Nursery worker charged with sexual assault and making child porn

Vanessa George, who worked at the Little Ted's nursery, faces four counts of sexual assault and three counts of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two from Efford, Plymouth has been taken into police custody and will appear at Plymouth Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

The nursery, in Laira, which operates from an adjoining school and church, stayed closed today.

Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement that officers were still speaking to nursery staff and parents.

Around 100 people attended a meeting last night at St Paul's Church in Plymouth where district commander Chief Superintendent Jim Webster spoke to parents.

Bronwyn Lacey, Plymouth City Council's director of children's services, also spoke.

Mr Webster said today: "We continue to talk extensively with members of our community who are naturally concerned about these charges. Last night's meeting was well attended by those people associated with the nursery and we took the opportunity to allay their fears where possible."

He gave no indication of when Little Ted's will re-open for business.

The arrest of George followed that of a man from Littleborough, near Rochdale, who was charged yesterday with possessing and distributing indecent images. Colin Blanchard, 38, appeared at Trafford magistrates' court.

Officers said computer equipment, including a disc containing images of "a serious nature", were among the items seized during its operation.

Officers have refused to confirm whether the images involved any children from the nursery.

Mr Webster said yesterday that the arrested woman was suspected of being "concerned in the distribution of child pornography images".

He said: "Of course, it is a concern to all of us that she worked in a nursery. Our work today is to find out what has happened, where the images have come from, where they have been sent to, and see if there is any risk to anybody in Plymouth."

Children at Little Ted's are aged between two and five. A parent of a three-year-old who attended said: "I feel sick. I can't believe this. I am never, ever bringing my son back - not in a million years."