A Bradford councillor faces trial on sex charges, including attempted rape, against two young girls.

The case against Councillor Bob Hargreaves, a Liberal Democrat who represents the Bolton and Undercliffe ward, was adjourned until next month at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Hargreaves, a married man of 61, was not present at the short hearing before Judge Roger Scott.

Three counts of indecent assault and one of attempted rape against girls aged 11 and 12 were read out against him. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1992 and 1994.

No pleas were entered and Judge Scott adjourned the case until February 10.

Hargreaves was charged last February following a police investigation into complaints made against him by the alleged victims, who are now in their early 20s.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, the leader of Bradford Council's Liberal Democrats, said Hargreaves had been suspended from the group pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. He continues to work as a ward councillor.

Coun Sunderland said: "We suspended him from the Liberal Democrat group more than 12 months ago in order to fight to clear his name.

"He has been reported to the Standards Board for England in order to protect the Council.

"He continues to serve as a councillor because he can but he has voluntarily stood down from all his duties as a councillor."

Hargreaves was elected to the Council in May 2004 and drew a basic allowance of £11,606 per year plus £3,194 for his special duties.

Among his duties were to serve on the Social Services Appeals Panel, the Health Improvement Committee and the Licensing Committee.

Hargreaves has lived in the Bolton area with his wife for the past 23 years. Before being elected to the Council he listed his occupation as being self employed.

He would not comment about the charges when he was contacted by the Telegraph & Argus at his home in Buttermere Road last night.