A German Holocaust denier who has regularly lavished praise on Adolf Hitler has gone on trial in Germany.

The case was delayed as soon as it had started, when the judge dismissed a member of Ernst Zuendel's defence team for having a racist conviction.

He denies inciting racial hatred and spreading Nazi propaganda. He faces up to five years in jail if convicted.

Mr Zuendel once published a book called The Hitler We Loved and Why, and described the former Nazi leader as "a decent and very peaceful man".

Denying the Holocaust is a crime in Germany.

In a 20-page charge sheet, Mr Zuendel is accused of using "pseudo-scientific" methods to try to rewrite the accepted history of the Nazi Holocaust, in 14 pieces of written work and internet publications.

He is charged with incitement offences, as well as libel and disparaging the dead.

He denies the charges, asserting his right to free speech, and questions the constitutionality of the laws being used against him.