Two British journalists arrested in Zimbabwe have pleaded not guilty to violating the country's media and immigration laws.

The Sunday Telegraph' s chief foreign correspondent Toby Harnden and photographer Julian Simmonds entered their pleas Tuesday before a court in the town of Norton, west of the capital, Harare.

The government accuses them of reporting on last week's parliamentary elections without accreditation, as required under Zimbabwean law.

If convicted, they face up to two years in prison.

But their lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, told the court the men were in Zimbabwe for a holiday, not to report on the elections.

On Monday, they were granted bail. The state said it would appeal that ruling, forcing the men to remain in custody.