A pensioner accused of sexually abusing a girl has told a jury he is "100 per cent" not guilty.

Geoffrey Blacklock, 68, is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He denies six indecent assault charges.

These relate to alleged offences which Blacklock is said to have committed in north Cumbria during the 1970s and 1980s.

Jurors have heard evidence from the alleged victim, who says she was abused as a child. It was only after she reported the allegations to a third party, during 2015, that the police became involved.

Blacklock gave evidence in his defence today. Questioned by his defence counsel, Keith Thomas, he made repeated denials of the allegations during almost an hour in the witness box.

"Did you ever indecently assault her?" Mr Thomas asked. "No," replied Blacklock.

Asked when he first became aware of the female's allegations, he responded that it was "when the detective knocked on the door" last summer.

He was cross-examined by prosecutor Richard Haworth, and he asked: "Did you sexually abuse her?"

"No I didn't. I did not. I can tell you 100 per cent, no," said Blacklock, who told the jury that the female "must have" made up her complaint.

Blacklock, of Hawthorn Grove, Carlisle, was asked why she would have done so. He responded: "I can't understand it because nobody deserves that."

Mr Haworth added: "Do you say she is lying about everything she has said about you?"

Blacklock replied: "I do."

The trial continues.