Three men have appeared in court to deny a total of 53 offences relating to sex abuse at a Kent school.

It follows an investigation into the abuse of children at Swaylands School, in Penshurst, between 1967 and 1993.

Colwyn Baker, 70, David Hennessy, 73, and 61-year-old Nigel Putman, pleaded not guilty to all the charges at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.

They were released on bail and will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, March 28.

The trio were charged after a "lengthy and complex investigation" in which multiple victims were identified by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Baker, of Morningside, Edinburgh, has been charged with 29 counts of indecent assault and five other serious sex charges.

Hennessy, of Westfields, Narborough, Kings Lynn, has been charged with 16 counts of indecent assault.

Putman, of Kings Road, Slough, has been charged with three counts of indecent assault.

Baker appeared in court via video link this morning, while Hennessy and Putman appeared in person this afternoon.