A Christian preacher in the UK is accused of calling two gay men 'sinners' and telling them they will 'burn in hell', a court heard.

Michael Overd, 47, from Creech St Michael in Taunton, denies two charges of using threatening words or behaviour towards Craig Manning and Craig Nichol in the town's high street last July.

Overd's defence, lawyer Paul Diamond, told Taunton Magistrates' Court his client was merely reciting from 1 Corinthians in the Bible.

The passage reads: 'Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.'

Giving evidence, Nichols said: 'He said "I have already told these two sinners over here that they are going to burn in hell."'

Overd admitted speaking to the pair as part of his sermon as they passed him but told the court he 'was not trying to draw to the public the fact that they were homosexuals, I was drawing the public to the fact that they were sinners.'

Prosecutor Gordon Richings asked him whether he believes sinners who die and are not redeemed are going to end up in hell, to which Overd replied, 'If God says it (in the Bible) that is good enough for me.'

The trial continues today (10 February).