LIVE Six men face trial accused of historic sexual offences in Rochdale - updates

Six men are due to go on trial accused of historic sexual offences allegedly committed against three girls in Rochdale.

The allegations made by one girl are said to have happened in the late 1980s and early 1990s, while claims made by two other girls are alleged to have occurred in the mid 2000s.

Tahir Rashid, 54, Mohammed Saleem, 46, Sucklane Shah, 46, Amjad Mahmood, 53, Itfaq Hussain, 45, and Arshad Mohammed, 55, all deny the offences they are accused of.

The complainants are known as Girl A, Girl B and Girl C for legal reasons.

Mr Rashid, of Hudsons Walk, Rochdale, denies 12 counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault and one count of assault by penetration.

Mr Saleem, of Shaw Road, Littleborough, denies eight counts of rape. Mr Shah, of Milnrow Road, Rochdale, denies two counts of rape.

Mr Mohammed, of Merefield Street, Rochdale, denies four counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Mr Hussain, of Hey Street, Rochdale, denies three counts of rape.

Mr Mahmood, of Channing Street, Rochdale, denies 11 counts of rape, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of indecent assault.

Prosecutors are expected to open their case against the six men at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on Monday morning.

Good morning from Minshull Street Crown Court, where the trial is due to begin this morning.

The court is now being assembled.