A bid by entertainer Michael Barrymore for compensation from Essex Police is to be heard at a High Court trial.

The legal action is a result of being arrested and questioned about the death of a butcher whose body was found in a swimming pool at his home in Essex more than 15 years ago.

Barrymore has sued Essex Police saying his arrest received widespread publicity and had a devastating effect on his career and earnings.

Lawyers representing Barrymore and Essex Police were at a preliminary High Court hearing in London on Wednesday.

The entertainer was not at the hearing.

A judge is expected to hear argument on how much compensation the entertainer might get at a trial in 2017.

Stuart Lubbock was found dead after a party at Barrymore's home in Roydon, Essex, in March 2001.

Lawyers on Wednesday told a judge, Master Roger Eastman, that Barrymore had been arrested six years later - in June 2007.

The entertainer had never been charged with any offence as a result of his arrest, the judge was told - in written submissions.

Barrister Lorna Skinner, who headed Barrymore's legal team, said the arrest had received widespread publicity and had a devastating effect.

Miss Skinner said Essex Police bosses were arguing that the entertainer should receive "nominal" damages.

She said a judge would have to decide whether there had been "reasonable grounds" for Barrymore's arrest.

Master Eastman indicated that a trial would be staged in the New Year.

The next preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on December 21.

Barrymore, 64, who in recent years has lived in New Zealand, has taken legal action against police bosses under his real surname - Parker.

"The claim arises out of the arrest and detention of the claimant, better known by his stage name Michael Barrymore, on suspicion of rape and murder on 14 June 2007," said Miss Skinner in a written "skeleton argument".

"It has never been established that the deceased, Mr Stuart Lubbock, was either raped or murdered."

She said Barrymore had never been charged with rape or murder, or any other offence resulting from his arrest.

She added: "The claimant contends that the fact of his arrest on such serious charges - which received widespread publicity - had a devastating effect on his career and hence his earnings."

She outlined detail of arguments put forward by Essex Police and added: "The defendant seeks to argue that the damages should be nominal."