Coronation Street star Roache to appear in court

Coronation Street star Bill Roache will appear in court today accused of historic sexual offences against five girls.

The veteran actor was charged in May with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in East Lancashire in 1967 and last week he faced fresh charges of five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16.

He appeared before Preston magistrates last Friday when his lawyer said his client was looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" of "deeply upsetting" child sex allegations.

The latest claims arose from the publicity of his arrest at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on May 1, and his subsequent charging on the same day.

The fresh charges, which relate to separate alleged victims, are said to have been committed in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968.

Today's preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court is expected to set a date for a formal plea hearing and also a provisional trial date.

The hearing will take place from 10.30am.