Paedophile football coach Barry Bennell in hospital

The former football coach at the centre of a child sex abuse scandal, Barry Bennell, is being treated in hospital.

Paramedics were called to a hotel in Stevenage late on Friday night after a member of the public raised the alarm.

The person was concerned about Bennell and when the emergency services arrived he was unconscious.

He was treated at the hotel following what police called a "fear for welfare" incident and then taken to hospital.

"Police officers attended an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage, just before 11pm on Friday in connection with a fear for welfare incident," Thames Valley Police said in a statement.

"A 62-year-old man was located and was taken to hospital in order to receive medical treatment, where he remains."

East of England Ambulance Trust said the man was "unconscious" when paramedics reached him.

Bennell is a convicted paedophile who has recently been back in the spotlight after former players said he sexually abused them as youngsters.

The scandal is now expanding, with the Football Association launching an inquiry into the allegations and the Professional Footballers' Association saying more than 20 players have come forward to seek help over the abuse.

Greater Manchester Police has become the latest force to investigate child abuse allegations in football, saying it has received at least 10 phone calls. A total of five forces are now looking into the claims.

:: Who is man behind football's abuse scandal?

For about a decade, Bennell was one of the most respected talent spotters in the game, coaching and scouting junior players for clubs including Stoke City, Manchester City and Crewe Alexandra.

In 1992 he was sacked by Crewe for reasons that have never been made public, and went on to work in the US.

Two years later he was arrested in Florida and served a four-year sentence for offences against a boy during a football tour.

US authorities said at the time that he had "almost an insatiable appetite" for young boys.

After being deported he pleaded guilty to 23 specimen charges - dating from 1978 to 1992 - at Chester Crown Court and was jailed for nine years.

Another 22 offences were left on file.

In May, he was jailed for two years for sexual offences committed against a 12-year-old boy in 1980.

During the court case he described himself as a "monster".

Bennell, who also goes by Richard Jones, is currently out on licence and is permanently suspended from football.