Ex-Italian PM Berlusconi will face corruption charge trial

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will stand trial on corruption charges, a Milan judge has ruled.

The trial which has been given a start date of April 5 will take place in Milan and reportedly relates to accusations that Berlusconi shelled out nearly £8m to women who attended "sexy" parties at his home.

Berlusconi's lawyers have denied any wrongdoing, saying the former PM is being tried for his "generosity" to the women.

According to the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera, the 80-year-old faces accusations relating to giving money and expensive gifts to 20 young women who attended gatherings at his Arcore villa near Milan.

The case follows a previous investigation into whether the payments the women received constituted corruption in judicial proceedings or were legitimate gifts of help.