TWO Hampshire men accused of committing a total of 20 child sex offences are due in court today.

Mark Andrew Metcalfe, 55, and Richard Townsend, 57, both of Copsewood Road in Southampton, are scheduled to appear at the city's magistrates' court.

It follows an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

Metcalfe is facing two counts of indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 16, one of making an indecent photograph of a child, and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

The other 16 offences are alleged to have been committed by Townsend.

They include one count of raping a 14-year-old boy, one of attempting to rape a 14-year-old boy and ten of indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 16.

Townsend is also accused of gross indecency with a 14-year-old, sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy and causing a 14-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity.