KENT-based television and radio personality Barry Bethell has appeared before a court charged with making and possessing indecent images of children and sexually touching girls.

Bethell, 64, from Kimberley Grove, Seasalter, near Whitstable, was remanded in custody until Friday, February 15, when he is due to return to Canterbury Magistrates' Court.

Bethell withheld pleas to charges of possessing an indecent photograph of a child, making an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of sexually touching girls.

His media work includes promoting the Slim Fast diet drink in a national advertising campaign.

He has also worked on radio stations and appeared on TV shows such as The Danny Baker Show in 1994 and After They Were Famous in 2002.