EASTENDERS actress Linda Henry is to stand trial accused of racially aggravated harassment outside a Jamie Oliver restaurant.

The 51-year-old, who plays barmaid Shirley Carter in the BBC soap, was charged following an incident near Jamie's Italian in Greenwich, south east London, on September 14.

She is accused of using threatening or abusive words which were likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and the alleged offence was racially aggravated, a court official said.

A spokesman for Henry, who has been charged under her married name Valiris, said: "Linda will be defending the allegation."

Henry was summonsed to appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court yesterday and will stand trial on February 11.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said a not guilty plea had been entered in the case.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Linda Valiris, 51, an actress, of Kelvington Road, south east London, was summonsed to appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court on November 26 charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

"This follows an incident in Nelson Road, Greenwich on September 14."

It is understood Henry will continue filming with EastEnders until her trial date.