RETAIL tycoon Philip Day is to stand trial accused of driving dangerously by speeding and making unsafe manoeuvres in icy conditions.

The 46-year-old owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill is alleged to have driven at speeds of up to 83mph on the 60mph A7 Carlisle to Edinburgh road in February.

The charge against him claims he repeatedly overtook other vehicles in the face of oncoming traffic and drove over chevron road markings in one overtaking manoeuvre.

Mr Day, of Edmond Castle, Corby Hill, Carlisle, is accused of carrying out the offence "during inclement weather which had caused ice to form on some parts of the roadway and while freezing rain was falling". He is due to stand trial in January.

It is also alleged that his view was restricted by excess spray coming off other vehicles.

The businessman, who also owns fashion stores Jane Norman and Peacocks, denies committing the offence over 3.3 miles of the road between Auchenrivoch and Canonbie.

Mr Day, listed as the 13th richest person in Scotland in this year's Sunday Times rich list, is worth an estimated £300m.

He began his career at Coats Viyella and Wensum before moving on to British heritage brand Aquascutum. The magnate rescued Peacocks in January and saved Jane Norman from a similar fate.