RADICAL preacher Anjem Choudary will go on trial in the New Year for allegedly encouraging support for Islamic State.

It is alleged that between June 29 last year and March 6 this year, the 48-year-old invited support for the banned terror group Isil, also known as Isis or Islamic State, contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

It is claimed that he did this in social media posts on the internet.

Choudary, of Hampton Road, Ilford in east London, is charged with Mohammed Rahman, 32, of Sidney Street in Whitechapel, east London, who is also accused of inviting support for IS over the same dates.

Both men appeared before Mr Justice Saunders at the Old Bailey via video link from high security Belmarsh prison for their first Crown Court hearing.

Dressed in a white robe, bespectacled Choudary spoke only to confirm his name and was represented in court by lawyer Blinne Ghralaigh.

His co-accused wore a striped T-shirt and khaki trousers and was also represented.

The public gallery was packed for the hearing to set a timetable for the case and hear applications for bail.

Mr Justice Saunders set a plea and case management hearing for December 11 and a provisional trial date of January 11 at a London court to be decided.

The trial is scheduled to be heard by a high court judge and will take three to four weeks.