A former Scout leader, Villager of the Year and councillor who downloaded thousands of indecent images of children will be sentenced next month, it has been confirmed.

Roland Frankel, 62, pleaded guilty on July 10 to two offences of making or downloading indecent photos of children between 16 November 2003 and 8 November 2013, and 10 January 2011 and 8 November 2013.

He will return to Chelmsford Crown Court on October 9 for sentencing.

Frankel, of Theydon Park Road in Theydon Bois, had been due for sentencing in the week of August 10.

But a hearing has now been scheduled for the new day of sentencing to consider a disagreement between the defence and the prosecution over the guilty plea.

The two offences relate to 18,385 photographs and 440 moving images, but Frankel has disputed intentionally downloading the most serious category A and B images.

A probationary report has also been ordered, which the judge will consider before sentencing.

Two further charges of attempting to incite a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity and of attempting to obtain sexual services from her were earlier dismissed, after the judge said no criminal offence was committed.

Frankel was chosen as Theydon Bois Villager of the Year in 2014 and had represented the village as a Liberal Democrat councillor from 2006 until 2010.