A BLACKBURN jockey has denied biting his girlfriend during a row after a drinking session.

Carl Lowther, 30, appeared before Blackburn magistrates for the second time this week and pleaded not guilty to assaulting stable girl Sharon Walker causing her actual bodily harm. He is alleged to have bitten Miss Walker on the cheek and neck.

Lowther was arrested at his mother's home in Springbank Terrace and kept in custody after telling police he planned to go and work in Dubai.

He was bailed on Tuesday with a condition that he did not apply for any overseas travel documents but the condition was lifted after he entered his not guilty plea and the trial date was fixed for February 2005.