Former London’s Burning actor John Alford is facing a trial charged with sex offences involving a girl aged under 16.

The 52-year-old, who rose to fame in Grange Hill, is charged under his real name John Shannon.

Alford, of Holloway, north London, is due to stand trial at St Albans Crown Court from December 2 this year, with a time estimate of seven days.

Alford is accused of four counts of sexual activity with a child, and two counts relating to a second female – of sexual assault and assault by penetration, the CPS said.

The CPS said he denied all charges at a plea hearing in September last year.

The case is due back in court for a pre-trial review hearing on November 18 at St Albans Crown Court.