Hamza appears at start of trial

Abu Hamza has been held in Belmarsh prison since May

Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has appeared in court at the start of his trial on terrorism charges.

The 47-year-old, who denies any involvement in terrorism, has been held at Belmarsh prison since May 2004.

He appeared at the Central Criminal Court, London, as legal arguments began. Court orders forbid the reporting of the arguments.

He faces 10 charges alleging he solicited people at meetings to murder non-Muslims, including Jews.

A further four charges allege he used "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of stirring up racial hatred".

The London preacher is also charged with possessing eight video and audio recordings intended to encourage racial hatred.

A final charge under the Terrorism Act alleges he was in possession of a document that contained information "likely to be useful" to someone who was plotting an act of terrorism.