EX-FOOTBALLER Paul Gascoigne has been charged with the harassment of his former girlfriend and a photographer.

Gascoigne, known as Gazza, is alleged to have carried out the offences in Poole in March this year.

Two charges against him were listed at Bournemouth magistrates' court on Monday September 29 and were adjourned to a later date at the request of the defence.

The Daily Echo understands Gascoigne, 48, of Lilliput in Poole, was not in court in person for the hearing.

The first charge alleges that between March 9 and March 22 this year he "pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Amanda Thomas and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her in that you sent abusive tweets via Twitter, telephone calls and text messages".

In the second charge he is accused of a similar offence against Andrew Stone between March 19 and March 22.

The alleged offences are contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Gazza's talent on the field propelled him to international fame and he won 57 caps for England during his career.

Born in Gateshead, he became a professional footballer at the age of 18 in 1985 and was sold to Tottenham Hotspur three years later for a £2.2million fee.

He played with Lazio, Rangers, Middlesborough, Everton, Burnley, Gansu Tianma in China and Boston United.

He was a key part of the England squad that reached fourth place in the 1990 World Cup and the semi-finals of Euro 96.

He has not worked in football since managing Kettering Town in 2005.