A MAN accused of murdering Southampton schoolgirl Lucy McHugh is set to stand trial in May next year.

Stephen-Alan Paul Nicholson, 24, of no fixed address, made a 20-minute appearance at Winchester Crown Court this morning.

Nicholson is accused of murdering 13-year-old Lucy, whose body was found at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26.

Nicholson is also accused of raping a child under the age of 13 and two counts of sexual activity with child under the age of 16.

He did not enter a plea at the crown court today.

But the court fixed a provisional trial date of May 1. The case is expected to last about five weeks.

Nicholson was further remanded in custody.