Hundreds of people have contacted Interpol after it launched an appeal to identify a man shown sexually abusing children in images posted on the internet.

The pedophile digitally obscured his face but he was unmasked by Interpol experts using advanced computer technology.

They unscrambled his face and published images of him on their website - http://www.interpol.int - the first time they have made this kind of public appeal.

Within 12 hours of the images of the man's face being released they received 200 messages. The responses are coming in from all over the world, Interpol said.

Police forces around the world are now hunting the sex fiend who published photos on the web of himself abusing children, disguising his own face.

Specialists in Germany, working with Interpol's Trafficking In Human Beings unit, were able to produce an identifiable picture of him.

The breakthrough means there is now no hiding place behind technology for sex fields who prey on children.

Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble said that for years images of this man sexually abusing children have been circulating on the internet.

They had tried all other means to identify and to bring him to justice, he added.

Interpol are now confinced that without the public's help this sexual predator could continue to rape and sexually abuse young children whose ages appear to range from six to early teens.

They believe the suspect may be travelling the world to sexually abuse and exploit vulnerable children.

The photographs - around 200 in total featuring 12 different young boys - were taken in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Members of the public are not advised to take any direct action themselves, especially since any positive identification would need to be confirmed by law enforcement authorities.

But they are asking anyone who recognises the person or has information to contact the police or Interpol.