Former television weatherman Fred Talbot has made his first court appearance today (Tuesday, February 11) accused of a string of historic sex offences.

The 64-year-old, who was a regular on the floating weather map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for ITV's This Morning, has been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery.

The former teacher from Bowdon, Cheshire, is alleged to have committed the offences between 1968 and 1983, against five male complainants, three of whom were under 16.

Police said previously that six counts of alleged indecent assault relate to incidents involving one victim who attended a school in Newcastle at the time, while the other alleged offences involve former pupils at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

Making a brief appearance at Manchester Magistrates' Court, Mr Talbot spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

No details of the alleged offences were read out in court.

The case was committed to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court where he will next appear on March 4 for a preliminary hearing.

Mr Talbot was granted bail on condition of residence and that he has no contact with witnesses and alleged victims, nor any unsupervised contact with a child.