Former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie has denied sexually assaulting a woman in London more than a decade ago.

Leslie, from Edinburgh, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday accused of sexually touching a woman, then aged 30, without her consent in 2008.

The 54-year-old, who presented Blue Peter between 1989 and 1994, is accused of sexual assault in Westminster on December 5, 2008.

John Leslie
Leslie is alleged to have committed the offence in 2008 (Jess Glass/PA)

Leslie, whose full name is John Leslie Stott, also previously presented Wheel Of Fortune and This Morning.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden released Leslie on unconditional bail.

He will now return to Southwark Crown Court for trial on March 16 next year.