Parents have been warned about paedophiles that use games consoles to groom children.

Cheshire Police said sex offenders use gaming networks in the same way as they can the Internet to contact young people.

Now officers are warning parents to be aware of the dangers of allowing children to use consoles alone for long periods.

It follows the conviction of a woman from Essex who seduced a 14-year-old boy from Cheshire after meeting him on Xbox Live.

Detective Sergeant Mark Fletcher from Cheshire Police Paedophile Unit said parents should be suspicious.

He said: "Most parents are aware that sex offenders go on the Internet, often posing as children, to make contact with youngsters. There is just not the same degree of awareness about games.

"Someone intent on grooming a child can make contact by playing a game and then move on to an Internet chat area. Parents need to realise this and to take the same precautions they should apply to the Internet generally."

Parents are urged to keep the console in a shared part of the home; warn children never to give out any personal information they meet on the Internet; call police if someone their child met playing a game wants to open up a line of contact

Det Sgt Fletcher added: "Games consoles will be high on the wish list for a lot of children this Christmas. Make sure they enjoy them in safety."

For more information visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre via ceop.police.uk