Three British soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners have faced a second day of an Army courts martial in Germany.

The case has been highlighted by the release of shocking photographs which appear to show the sexual and physical abuse of Iraqis.

The pictures risk harming relationships built with communities by British forces in Iraq.

But Tony Blair, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, told MPs the vast majority of the 65,000 British troops who had served in Iraq had done so with "distinction, courage and great honour".

The abuse is said to have taken place in May 2003 at a humanitarian aid compound outside Basra.   

Lance Corporal Mark Cooley, 25, from Newcastle upon Tyne, and Corporal Daniel Kenyon, 33, have pleaded not guilty to the charges at the trial, taking place at a British Army Court Martial Centre in Osnabruck.

Lance Corporal Darren Larkin, 30, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, admitted one charge of assaulting an unknown male, but denied another charge of forcing two Iraqi males to undress in front of others.   

Counsel for Kenyon, Joseph Giret, said his client was a "war hero" who had saved the lives of several colleagues during the Iraq war.

He denied the corporal had acted out of character, because he had been simply following orders give by Major Dan Tyler as part of Operation Ali Baba, targeting looters.

On Tuesday, the hearing was told that Maj Tyler's order to catch the thieves who had been stealing food and to "work them hard" was in breach of the Geneva Convention on human rights.

Maj Taylor, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is expected to be called later as a witness at the court martial.

The photographs of the soldiers simulating abuse of the civilians were taken in May 2003 at a humanitarian aid camp known as Camp Bread Basket, near Basra.

If found guilty, the soldiers could be jailed and discharged from the Army.