A former police inspector has denied downloading child pornography from the internet.

Christopher Wratten, 49, pleaded not guilty to eight counts of making indecent photos or fake images of children at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

Wratten, who resigned from Sussex Police last October, had previously been charged with 27 counts but this was reduced to eight.

Wratten, of Bancroft Road, Bexhill, was bailed by Judge Richard Brown until his trial, which will take place on October 27 at Lewes.