A man accused of repeatedly raping a young girl in the Sixties has described the allegations as an "absolute load of lies".

Barry Watson, 57, is accused of committing a series of sex attacks against the same girl in the Chichester area.

The alleged victim claims she became pregnant as a result of one of the attacks.

At Chichester Crown Court yesterday, the jury was read a statement Watson made to police when he was first arrested in November 2001.

He told officers: "It's an absolute load of lies. Her imagination is running wild."

DNA tests support the alleged victim's claim that her daughter was also Watson's child.

But Watson, who now lives in Bradford, said: "There was a big party with lots of people. The next morning, I woke up in bed in my underpants and she was by my side with her bra and pants on."

Watson denies three rapes, two charges of indecency with a child and two indecent assaults.

Three further rape charges were withdrawn along with two of indecency with a child, which alleged Watson sold her for sex to two workmates.

The trial continues.