A NORTHLEACH man accused of raping and sexually abusing two young girls in Bibury more than a decade ago told a jury today that they have made up the allegations and he has no idea why.

In evidence at Gloucester crown court mechanic Kevin Blackwell said his whole world fell apart when the accusations were made and at one stage he felt suicidal.

His solicitor-advocate, Curtis Myrie, told him "You face extremely serious allegations. You know what they are. Did you abuse the first girl?"

"No," replied Mr Blackwell.

"Did you abuse the second girl?" asked Mr Myrie.

Mr Blackwell replied "No I never did."

"Why would these two ladies make up allegations as serious as this and go through the pain and difficulty of giving evidence?" asked Mr Myrie.

Mr Blackwell said: "I don't know. I still don't know. Sometimes you think you'll get a clue but I have never been able to work it out."

He has denied that he had any sexual contact with either of the girls, who are now women in their late 20s and early 30s.

He pleads not guilty to four charges of indecently assaulting the older of the two girls on at least eight occasions between July 1992 and July 1998.

He also denies six charges of raping the younger girl on at least seven occasions between August 1995 and August 2004.

And he has denied two other charges of gross indecency or having sexual activity with the younger girl.

Both girls lived in Bibury at the time of the alleged offences, which the prosecution started when the girls were aged about five and were at primary school.

The trial continues and the jury is expected to retire to consider its verdicts tomorrow.