A photographer charged with obstructing the police is insisting that evidence is handed over before his trial can go ahead.

He was arrested taking pictures of an armed police incident on March 18 this year and his camera was confiscated.

Nottingham freelance Alan Lodge, (53), won an adjournment at the city magistrates' court after arguing that his defence team needed access to the memory stick of his camera.

The case raises important questions about the right of photographers to carry out their duties in a public place.

The memory stick of his camera contains around 50 photos taken during the incident, which the defence said was vital evidence to the case.

Magistrates gave the Crown Prosecution Service 21 days to give Lodge's team access to the memory stick - or provide legal arguments for not doing so.

Lodge had already entered a not guilty plea and the case was adjourned to a two-day trial in March.

The National Union of Journalists is backing him because it believes the verdict could have implications for journalists everywhere.