A COUNTY councillor at the centre of an internet porn inquiry has been charged with attempting to abduct a child under 16.

Coun Bill Chadwick, 48, was arrested on Monday along with fellow Preston Council LibDem councillor Alan Valentine as part of on-going police inquiries.

Both men, who live at the same address in Avenham Road, Preston, were due to appear before Preston Magistrates today charged with the offence.

Chadwick previously appeared before Preston Magistrates in August charged with making indecent photographs of a child, and incitement to commit offences of kidnap, torture, rape and murder.

He was also charged with inciting John Ernest Goodyear, of Cheshire, to commit rape, torture, kidnap and murder between July 20 and July 30.

The charges came about as the result of an alleged internet chat room conversation involving Chadwick.

Coun Chadwick resigned his position as leader of Preston City Council's LibDem group after the original charges.

But his solicitor said he was innocent and would be fighting to clear his name.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said today Chadwick was still a county councillor and deputy leader of the Lancashire County Council Lib Dem group.