A MIDDLEWICH man has denied 11 charges of indecently assaulting children during a two-and-a-half year period.

Harold Percival, 68, pleaded not guilty to all the charges in Chester Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday, and the case has now been set down for trial.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between April 1 2002, and October 31, 2004 against three girls aged four, five and seven. Percival is charged with seven counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age under section seven of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

He faces a further four counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 14.

Percival, of Manor Crescent, Middlewich, spoke only to confirm his name and address and to answer with a not guilty plea as each of the charges were read out to him in court.

Judge Stephen Clarke granted him conditional bail and set a date of May 27 for the trial at Chester Crown Court.

As part of his bail conditions Percival is prohibited from contacting witnesses who were named in court by the Crown Prosecution Service at his last appearance on January 27.