Former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to six counts of child sex abuse offences at Liverpool crown court.

The 63-year-old’s trial started on Monday and is expected to last around eight weeks, with Bennell charged with 55 offences in total – including 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery.

The charges against the former Crewe Alexandra coach relate to 12 complainants and are alleged to have happened between 1979 and 1991, when the alleged victims were boys between the ages of eight and 15.

Bennell entered the pleas when he appeared via videolink.

A jury is expected to be sworn in for his trial on the outstanding charges later on Monday.