A landlord accused of sexually assaulting a woman in his pub will face trial next year.

Tony Ford pleaded not guilty to groping a woman at The Brighton Tavern in December last year.

Ford, 56, of Kensington Place, Brighton, appeared at a short hearing at Lewes Crown Court.

Ford denies sexual assault at The Brighton Tavern on December 1 last year.

He is on bail and will be tried in September next year.