Bill Roache will stand trial in January

Coronation Street star Bill Roache will face trial in January over allegations of historic sexual offences against five girls.

The 81-year-old actor was charged in May with two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967.

Last week he faced fresh charges of five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16. He appeared today for a five-minute preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court. His trial date was set for January 13.

He was bailed until his next court appearance on September 2 when he will enter formal pleas.Last week, Roache's lawyer said his client was looking forward to standing before a jury to "vigorously protest his innocence" over "deeply upsetting" child sex allegations.