Actor George Clooney was mobbed by fans when he arrived at an Italian court today to give evidence in the trial of a clothing company accused of falsely using his name in adverts.

Even the judge in Milan said the event seemed more like a Hollywood set than legal proceedings.

Dozens of celebrity-watchers packed the tiny courtroom for the hearing against three people charged with using his name.

Clooney, wearing a navy blue suit, crisp white shirt and red-spotted blue tie, addressed the court through an interpreter.

He said photos supposedly showing him with two of the defendants were doctored and that his signature on documents was forged.

After his 90-minute appearance, Judge Pietro Caccialanza thanked Clooney, who has a villa on nearby Lake Como, and said the session "has lasted as long as a movie."