Silvio Berlusconi denies under-age girl reports

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi today dismissed as "media trash" reports that two television executives helped introduce an under-age girl into his entourage.

Italian reports say a 17-year-old Moroccan runaway named Ruby told prosecutors she attended dinners at Mr Berlusconi's villa in Arcore, outside Milan.

Daily newspaper Corriere della Sera said today that a news director from Mr Berlusconi's Mediaset empire and a TV impresario had been placed under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting prostitution. The girl reportedly denies she had sex with the premier.

Asked about the investigation during a press conference about the rubbish crisis in Naples, Mr Berlusconi quipped: "I'm here to talk about real trash. Media trash I leave to you."