A DISTRICT councillor has denied three charges relating to alleged indecent acts involving two young girls.

Harry Devine, 53, appeared before Durham Crown Court accused of indecent assault on an 11-year-old girl between June 1 and September 30 last year, and inciting her to commit an act of gross indecency, between April 1 and May 31 this year.

He is also charged with a similar offence of incitement relating to a second girl, aged 13, during the same time span earlier this year.

Councillor Devine, the ward councillor for the east Durham village of Wingate on Easington District Council for the past five years, pleaded not guilty when all three allegations were put to him yesterday.

The hearing was adjourned for trial until March 15.

Judge Richard Lowden extended bail and agreed to amend the permitted address.

Coun Devine, formerly of Salters Lane, Wingate, had been bailed to live in Billingham, on Teesside, since the charges were made, but another, undisclosed address was agreed by Judge Lowden at yesterday's hearing.