The jury in the sex abuse trial of Coronation Street star William Roache will today resume its deliberations.

Roache, 81, who plays Ken Barlow in the ITV soap, is accused of using his fame and popularity to exploit five youngsters between the mid-60s and early 70s.

His trial at Preston Crown Court has heard from five women who claim he sexually assaulted them when they were 16 or under.

In denying all the offences, Roache said he did not even know any of his accusers and had never had a sexual interest in underage girls.

Roache, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, is accused of two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault on various dates between 1965 and 1972.

Before the jurors retired, trial judge Mr Justice Holroyde reminded them of the prosecution's central claims, made by Anne Whyte QC in her closing speech.

"It's not just that Mr Roache denies that the acts alleged against him ever occurred, he denies they ever could have occurred, because, for example, he says 'There never was any young female in my house or dressing room or in my car'," he said.

"You must approach all this with a clear head and make a dispassionate assessment of the evidence you have heard."