A man who organised annual Christmas lights switch-ons for New Addington families has pleaded guilty to taking an indecent photograph of a 15-year-old boy.

Alex Hopkinson, 36, of Uvedale Crescent, New Addington, took an indecent video of the child in January last year.

The bus driver faced the charge at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 16.

He will be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on a date yet to be set.

Hopkinson was arrested in March and re-arrested in April last year.

The bus driver became known as a community figure in New Addington for his extravagant festive illuminations, a tradition carried on from his father.

Since 2013, hundreds of people have turned out each winter to watch a lights switch-on organised by Mr Hopkinson at his parents' house in King Henry's Drive.

The event, which has raised thousands of pounds for charity, was first started by Hopkinson's father Derek at his family home in 1985.

He revived the tradition in memory of his father, who died of cancer in 2004.