A PAEDOPHILE who subjected four young girls to a "campaign" of sexual abuse has had his lenient jail term increased by top judges.

Former fairground worker Warren Kirkby, who described himself as a "monster" committed a string of sickening offences against children over a 29-year period.

One of his victims was as young as four and all their lives have been blighted by what he did to them.

He admitted 12 counts of indecency with a child, eight of indecent assault and two of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The 61-year-old, of Westleigh Lane, Leigh, was jailed for 12 years by Judge Timothy Stead at Bolton Crown Court in July.

But his sentence was increased to 16 years after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal, in London, by the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland.

Lord Justice Davis said the original term was "unduly lenient" in light of Kirkby's catalogue of crimes and the number of victims.

Sitting with Sir David Calvert-Smith and Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, he added: "There were four victims and, of the counts charged, many were accepted to be specimen counts involving incidents on many occasions.

"The effect on the victims has been profound, the crown court judge was right to say this was a campaign of sexual offending.

"We think the least sentence appropriate for this case is one of 16 years."

A one-year extension to the licence period Kirkby will be under following his release from jail remains in place.