FORMER Blackburn Rovers defender Colin Hendry has denied harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Lancashire.

Hendry, 49, is said to have approached beautician Sarah Kinder in his hometown of Lytham St Annes on April 18 and grabbed her by the arm several times.

Hendry is also said to have harassed Ms Kinder between March 1 and April 24 with unwanted emails and visits to her home address.

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The court heard the pair had been in a five-year relationship which ended late last year but Hendry allegedly refused to accept it and "bombarded" her with text messages which led to a harassment order being made against him in February.

Hendry, of Coopers Row, entered not guilty pleas from the witness box to the charges of common assault and harassment.

A one-day trial at Blackpool Magistrates' Court was fixed for August 3.

Magistrates bailed Hendry on condition that he does communicate with or approach Ms Kinder.

Hendry began seeing Ms Kinder following the death of his wife, Denise, 42, in 2009 following botched cosmetic surgery.

He enjoyed a long playing career as a central defender and captained his country in the 1998 World Cup. He appeared for a series of clubs including Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Rangers.