COMPUTER equipment has been seized in Morecambe as part of the biggest ever national crackdown on internet perverts.

The identity of the equipment's owner has not been revealed and no arrests have yet been made.

Police are examining the computers and say enquiries are ongoing.

A warrant was issued in the resort on Wednesday morning under 'Operation Magenta', a national operation to investigate paedophiles who use the web to trade in images of child abuse.

Insp Peter Tracey of Lancashire Police's major crimes unit, said: "Although no-one has been arrested this morning, computer equipment has been seized, this will be examined and enquiries continue."

Police say the operation, which involves 34 police forces nationwide, is intended to 'deter and disrupt' criminal activity on the internet, and show that the web is not ' unpoliceable'.

The operation focussed on the use of chat rooms to advertise and exchange images of child abuse, using new technology to identify users.

Inspector Keith Tilley, of Hertfordshire Police, who are co-ordinating the operation, said: "Today's nation wide operation should sent out a loud message to those people who use chat rooms to trade in indecent images of children.

"This activity is unlawful and is committed by people who often go on to commit further offences of abuse against vulnerable children.

" Hertfordshire along with other forces will continue to work to identify and track down those individuals who believe the internet gives them anonymity to continue their trade in abusive images of children.

This is not the case and further operations like today's will take place in the future."