Too much, says Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi has ridiculed claims by Italian prosecutors that he paid 33 women for sexual favours in a matter of months, saying he would need the stamina of a man one third his age to maintain such a vigorous private life.

The Italian Prime Minister, who will stand trial on April 6 on charges of having intercourse with an under-age prostitute and abuse of office, offered an angry defence against the accusations, contained in court documents.

"I'm 74 years old and even though I may be a bit of a rascal ... 33 girls in two months seems to me too much even for a 30 year-old."