A 68-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court charged with multiple counts of child sex offences which he is alleged to have committed more than two decades ago.

Philip Banning, 68, of Meadowlands Close, Penhow, allegedly committed the offences in a Hampshire town.

He was charged following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, and appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on March 7.

He is facing 24 counts of indecent assault against girls who were under the age of 16 during the ’70s and ’80s.

The charges relate to incidents alleged to have taken place during Banning’s time as an athletics coach.

He was  bailed to appear at Winchester Crown Court on April 10.