A street preacher has appeared in court charged with verbally attacking a gay couple for telling them homosexuality is a sin.

Michael Overd, 47, is said to have abused Craig Manning and Craig Nicholl as he spread the word of God in a busy high street in the South West.

He is alleged to have told the couple they were "evil people" who would "burn in Hell".

The preacher, from Creech St Michael in Somerset, attended a brief hearing at Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court in Taunton.

He denied two charges under the public order act of intentionally causing "alarm or distress" to Mr Manning and Mr Nicholl.

Overd, who represented himself at court, wore a brown shirt and a yellow tie – which featured the words "the Lord is my shepherd".

Dean Lampard, prosecuting, told the court how the civil partners had been "upset" by Overd's words.

He said: "This case is in relation to an incident in October 23, 2010.

"The defendant was preaching in the high street and saw the victims approaching him.

"He said that homosexuality is a sin, you are evil people and you will burn in Hell.

"This was repeated on many occasions and the victims were upset by it.

"There have been previous complaints about him preaching that homosexuality is evil and they will rot in Hell."

Overd was later questioned by police and denied using the phrases, Mr Lampard told the court.

The preacher told the hearing that he "did not say those words".

Magistrates released Overd on unconditional bail. He is due to appear at the court for trial on February 9 next year.