Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks appears in court over phone hacking allegations

During the four-minute hearing, Brooks spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

She is accused of allegedly conspiring to hack into the voicemail of murdered teenager Milly Dowler and up to six other people.

She has now been ordered to appear in court on September 26.

Brooks is already due in court on that date to answer separate charges that she allegedly conspired to pervert the course of justice.

The latter charges relate to the alleged removal of boxes of material from the News International archive, allegedly to conceal the material from police.

She has been released on bail on the condition that she does not contact her fellow accused and gives police seven days' notice if she intends to travel abroad.

Image: Getty