A FORMER athletics coach is to go on trial charged with two dozen historic child sex offences.

Philip Banning is accused of 24 counts of indecent assault against girls who were under the age of 16.

All the offences date back to between 1975 and 1982, relating to incidents which are said to have taken place during his time as a coach at Andover Athletics Club.

The 68-year-old appeared for a plea hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday.

Mr Banning, of Meadowlands Close, Penhow, Wales, entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.

A trial will begin at the same court on August 12, which is expected to last eight days.