A football coach who has admitted a string of child sex offences is the focus of a "substantial" investigation into other possible crimes involving "hundreds of children", a court has heard.

Prosecutors also said the ongoing probe into Jonathan Clarke, 31, has an "international dimension".

Details of the investigation emerged at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday, where Clarke admitted further offences.

He has previously pleaded guilty to seven charges, which include: inciting a 12-year-old girl to remove her clothes on a video call, sexual communications with children aged 12 and 11 and making 36 category A, 12 category B and 117 category C indecent images and videos of children.

The offences are understood to have happened between December 2019 and January 2022 and to have taken place online.

At Tuesday's hearing, Clarke, formerly of Highview Close, Blofield, appeared via videolink from Norwich Prison and admitted two further offences: attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and blackmail, both of which are said to have happened on October 25, 2020.

But the court heard a "substantial" police investigation was also being conducted into other offences alleged to have been committed by Clarke with an "international dimension" thought to involve "hundreds of children".

Judge Anthony Bate adjourned sentence for the offences Clarke had already admitted to a date to be fixed to allow investigations into the other matters to take place.

But the judge said this should take place in a "reasonable time".

Marc Brown appeared for the prosecution and Michael Clare represented Clarke.

Police and the NSPCC have set up a free helpline to support children and their families affected by the investigation.

Anyone with concerns or who would like support can speak to a trained counsellor on 0800 389 5347.