In full: Huntley's police statement

Mr Huntley denies killing the girls

The first statement given to the police by Soham murder suspect Ian Huntley has been read out to his Old Bailey trial.

In it he described the last time he had seen schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Here is the text in full:

"On Sunday 4 [August], I was standing out front of my house, brushing my dog. I saw two girls approach at about 6pm from the area of the college.

"One asked me about my partner, Maxine Carr. Maxine worked at St Andrew's, but had had to reapply for her job and had not been given the job.

"I did not know either of the girls. They obviously knew Maxine and obviously wanted to speak to her. They obviously knew where she lived.

"One asked how Miss Carr was. I told her she was not very happy as she had not been given the job. They said they were very sorry and walked off in the direction of College Road.

I knew the police were looking for two girls, but did not associate it with the two I had seen earlier

"I did not see them again. Both were wearing Manchester United tops with Beckham at the back. "

He described them as aged between nine and 10 years old, one with blonde hair, one with brown hair, both 4ft 9in tall and of slim build.

He told police that, at about 2300 BST, he was walking his dog near the sports centre past three males who asked him if he had seen two children.

"I said I had not. They did not give me any details, so I assumed I could not help.

"I knew the police were looking for two girls, but did not associate it with the two I had seen earlier.

"This happened later when I spoke to other people. It was only when I heard the two girls were wearing Manchester United shirts that I connected the fact that I may have seen the girls earlier.

"When I had an opportunity, I told police I may have seen the two girls earlier. I did not see the two girls before or since."