Fylde coast nursery boss says safeguarding has not been compromised after former director is sentenced for possessing indecent images of children.

James Hoyle was listed as a director at the Happy Days chain of nurseries, which has six nurseries across Blackpool, Poulton and Ansdell including one at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

The boss of the firm, David Hoyle, spoke to the Gazette and insisted his 31-year-old-son had only a financial role within the company and never had any contact with the children at the nurseries.

He said: “James was a director of Happy Days Nursery for financial purposes only and had nothing to do with the business

“He had no contact with any children, access to any of our systems or child information and absolutely at no time has any of the children’s safeguarding been compromised.

“His position as a director was terminated immediately when allegations were made regarding images of a 16-year old-girl.

“The business is run by my wife and myself and safeguarding is paramount to us as owners of a nursery for the last 20 years.

“Happy Days have always, and continue to take safeguarding extremely seriously. This is reflected by the prompt action taken in this case.”

Mr Hoyle said James moved away from Lancashire 11 years ago and both David and his wife are ‘distanced’ from him.

Companies House records show that James Hoyle resigned as director at Happy Days Lancashire Limited and Norbreck Happy Days Limited on April 6, 2019 and had been in both positions since April 30, 2014.

Jamie Hoyle, of Crossway, Didsbury in Manchester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court on June 23.

Prosecutors said detectives had found 200 child abuse images on a computer hard drive belonging to him.

Police found the images following a search warrant at his home in May 2019.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children.

Judge Anthony Cross QC handed him a six month prison term, suspended for a year due to ‘mitigating cirumstances’.

Manchester Crown Court also confirmed that Hoyle was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a program addressing sexual offending on the internet.

Making indecent images of children (classed as anyone under the age of 18) is illegal and offences carry a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.