A former school governor and parish council chairman has been found guilty of four charges of indecent assault against girls under the age of 14.

Jurors in the trial of Robert Giddings returned their verdicts after proceedings lasting a week at Southampton Crown Court.

The assaults, on three girls, took place more than 30 years ago. Giddings, 54, now of Wayside Road, Ringwood, will return to court for sentencing on February 11.

Until his arrest last year, Giddings, who denied all charges, was sales director and partner at RF Giddings sawmill at Bartley. He is also a former chairman of Netley Marsh Parish Council and governor of Netley Marsh Infant School.