Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Ian Watkins said he would fight to the end to clear his name

The lead singer of south Wales rock band Lostprophets has denied 23 sexual offences involving children, including two charges of raping a baby.

Ian Watkins, 35, of Pontypridd, and two women appeared at Cardiff Crown Court via video link.

He denied a charge of conspiracy to rape another very young child and other offences including sexual assault.

The women denied sexual offences against children. The next hearing is due to take place on Thursday.

Charges denied by Ian Watkins Two charges of raping a baby

One of conspiracy to rape another child

One of sexual assault

One of aiding and abetting sexual assault by penetration

One of conspiracy to sexually assault a child

11 of making indecent images

Two of taking indecent images

Four of possessing indecent images

One of possessing extreme pornographic images involving an animal

Mr Watkins denied a 24th offence, possessing extreme pornographic images involving an animal.

The alleged offences date from 2007.

Mr Watkins later issued a statement saying he would continue to fight to clear his name.

The band, which has sold 3.5m albums around the world, was co-founded by Mr Watkins in 1997.

The most recent album Weapons was the band's fifth and released in April last year.