Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied paying prostitutes for sex as his personal life continues to cause major controversy in Italy.

Corruption investigators in the south of the country have brought forward a female escort who says she spent the night with Mr Berlusconi after being paid by a businessman to attend one of his parties.

The latest claims come after the 72-year-old Prime Minister was forced to deny having sex with an 18-year-old aspiring model.

The denial came after his wife, who is seeking a divorce, claimed that he "frequents minors".