A pensioner who denies a string of historic indecent assault allegations has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

Geoffrey Blacklock, 68, faces six charges relating to alleged criminal conduct.

This is said to have been committed against a young girl over a period of several years, in north Cumbria, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Blacklock has pleaded not guilty to all six of the alleged offences and, a jury has heard, vehemently protests his innocence.

At the crown court today prosecutor Richard Haworth opened the case to jurors in front of Judge Barbara Forrester.

Mr Haworth said the girl had tried numerous times to take "some evasive action" to stave off the alleged sexual abuse by Blacklock. Initially she was not able to summon up the courage to raise the alarm.

It was only years later when she finally felt able to confide in a third party, and went on to make complaints about what she said had happened.

"Clearly as a result of that, they (the third party) informed police, and a police investigation got under way," said Mr Haworth.

Initially the complainant was interviewed. Blacklock, of Hawthorn Grove, Carlisle, was then quizzed by officers.

"He categorically denied any sexual abuse or sexual misconduct whatsoever," Mr Howarth told the jury of the defendant's responses.

"He said it hadn't happened and that she was making things up and telling lies about him all these years down the line."

Jurors are expected to hear evidence from the complaint tomorrow (TUES).

The trial continues.