A 101-year-old man believed to be Britain's oldest criminal defendant has been told his trial will have reduced hours as a judge said: "Let's all be patient. It's only fair."

The court will sit for four hours every day during the two-week trial of Ralph Clarke, who is accused of carrying out a catalogue of historical child sex offences in a workshop and the cab of his delivery lorry.

Describing the move as "very, very unusual", Judge Richard Bond said that Clarke's old age and health meant the court will only hear evidence between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Judge Bond added: "I have made that decision because the interests of justice decree that this defendant, like any defendant who is tried in a Crown Court, must be able to follow the evidence and must be in position to call evidence himself if that time arises.