David Beckham is to be paid "substantial" libel damages over allegations he pursued a telephone hate campaign against a former nanny.

The England football captain sued MGN Limited over a story in the People and its website about Abbie Gibson.

London's High Court heard the story was headlined "England ace plagues ex-nanny with hate calls".

The court heard MGN had apologised, was paying damages and costs and would not repeat the allegations.

Solicitor Gerrard Tyrrell said: "These allegations are completely untrue."

The Real Madrid midfielder was not at the High Court for the short hearing.

In another hearing in April, High Court judge Mr Justice Eady accepted a promise from Ms Gibson that she would not disclose any more "confidential" details about the Beckhams.

Ms Gibson worked for the Beckhams - who have three children Brooklyn, six, Romeo, two and Cruz, five months - from May 2003 until this spring