It has emerged that websites may be used by unscrupulous individuals to identify youngsters.

There is clear evidence that photographs of children are being used as a means of identifying children when they are accompanied by personal information

Glyn Griffiths

The warning has been issued by Glyn Griffiths of the North Wales Coast Football Association.

He said people needed to be aware of the dangers: "I am asking parents and clubs to assess the potential risks involved in the use of images of children."

The child welfare officer and teacher at Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin contacted all football clubs in a bid to draw their attention to the possible dangers.

"I realised that with the new technology available a number of clubs wanted to provide information about their players.

Glyn Griffiths has urged caution

"However, I felt they needed to be aware of the dangers," said Mr Griffiths.

He said he based his information on evidence from Sport England and the NSPCC, which has suggested that photographs have been used and adapted for inappropriate use.

Many images have been discovered on child pornography sites.

There has been no evidence of websites in north Wales being misused but Mr Griffiths urged caution when designing internet sites.

"The guidelines are that if a player is named avoid using their photo, if there is a photo of them then avoid naming them.

"There is clear evidence that photographs of children are being used as a means of identifying children when they are accompanied by personal information.

"Such information can make a child vulnerable to an individual who may wish to start to groom for child abuse," he said.

He has followed up his meeting with local football groups with a leaflet campaign.