A leading Labour Party activist and friend of Tony Blair denied a string of sex charges against teenage boys when he appeared in court yesterday.

Martin Locklin, 40, pleaded not guilty to six allegations of indecent assault, two of rape and one of serious sexual assault against three youngsters when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

The alleged offences took place over an eight-year period and some date back to when he worked as a tutor at Aycliffe Young People's Centre, near Darlington.

Mr Locklin, of Newton Aycliffe, is the leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council and last year starred in a controversial TV documentary called Tony's People. In it he was filmed giving his full backing to New Labour policies in the North-East.

In March, he took the Prime Minister on a walkabout in Newton Aycliffe, part of the Mr Blair's Sedgefield constituency and introduced him to local residents.

He is a staunch Labour follower, but his party membership was suspended as soon as officials became aware of the charges.

The case was adjourned for trial, some time next year, and he was released on bail