A former Cunard cruise ship worker has been charged with a sex attack on a child, police said today.

Paul Trotter, 34, is accused of possessing indecent images of children and sexual assault of a child aged under 13 between December 20, 2010 and January 5, 2011.

The assault was alleged to have been committed while Trotter was working for Cunard as a supervisor for a children's activity area, Wiltshire Police said.

Trotter, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, faced North West Wiltshire Magistrates' Court in Chippenham yesterday and was remanded into custody.

He is next due to appear on February 16 via video link at Swindon Magistrates' Court, police said.

The former Cunard employee was initially arrested on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing of indecent images on August 12 last year.

A force spokeswoman said: ''Wiltshire Police are contacting all of the parents they need to speak to in relation to the investigation.

''However, if parents are concerned, they are asked to call the NSPCC on 0800 980 4502 who have professional advisors on hand to advise them.''

Cunard is part of the Carnival Corporation group - owners of the Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the coast of Italy - and operates the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth cruise liners offering luxurious ocean travel.