TWO brothers have gone on trial accused of the serious sex abuse of three young girls.

Alan Hughes, 49, and Bertram Hughes, 45, are alleged to have attacked the girls in Earby and Wales over a number of years, a Preston crown court jury has been told.

Alan Hughes of Eaves Hall Lane, West Bradford, Clitheroe, faces 15 charges involving one alleged victim. They are four allegations of rape, seven indecent assaults, two of assault by beating, and two of indecency.

He faces seven further charges of indecent assault in relation to two other children.

Bertram Hughes, 45, of Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, is accused of four indecent assaults on the same girl.

Both men also deny a joint charge of indecent assault - the prosecution allege they took part in a "threesome" with one of the girls.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

Jeremy Lasker, prosecuting, told the jury two of the girls were regular victims of sexual activity in many forms.

The first girl was abused over an eight year period and lost her virginity to Alan Hughes who involved her "in all manner of sexual behaviour," alleged Mr Lasker.

She was also the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of the other defendant.

When the girl had angered Alan Hughes, he used violence and punched and kicked her, say the prosecution.

She was raped when she was a teenager, said Mr Lasker.

The second girl was also teenage when she was allegedly abused by Alan Hughes after being plied with drink.

Mr Lasker said the third girl was sexually abused when the opportunity arose. Alan Hughes had had sex with her by the time she was 14.

The jury was told that some of the offences were committed at Earby and in Wales.

Mr Lasker told thye jury that what happened amounted to the " most dreadful behaviour."

Alan Hughes had allegedly told the first girl he "could get done" and "put away".

Matters came to light when a complaint was made and when interviewed by police both men denied the offences.