FIVE people believed to have been involved in the large scale sale of counterfeit tobacco products are to stand trial at crown court in the New Year.

The defendants, from families in neighbouring east Durham towns, are alleged to have been responsible for the doorstep supply of a large amount of fake copies of popular brands of cigarettes and other tobacco, at knock-down prices, over a period of more than three years.

All were arrested following an investigation by trading standards officers from Durham County Council into the suspected sale of counterfeit packs of popular brands, based on information received from the public.

The council investigates reports of illegal tobacco sales, either smuggled, bootleg or counterfeit, round the county.

Durham Crown Court was told they are suspected of involvement in the sale of illicit tobacco products with an estimated turnover of £1m, attracting a large amount of doorstep trade in the Seaham and Murton areas.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said sales went on at times from about 8am until 8pm, with business often said to be brisk.

Ian Joseph and Julie Brace, both 52, and 41-year-old David Peter Brace, all from the Eastlea area of Seaham, appeared at a plea hearing at the court, alongside Gemma Louise Wilkinson, 30, and 49-year-old Julie Ann Wilkinson, from nearby Murton.

All are facing a count of conspiracy to sell or distribute goods which bear a sign likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark, on dates between August 1, 2013 and October 19, 2016.

It follows their arrests at the culmination of the investigation, on October 18, 2016.

All five defendants put in not guilty pleas to the charge during a short hearing before the Judicial Recorder of Durham, Judge Christopher Prince.

Defence barristers Joe Hedworth, Scott Smith, Jonathan Walker, Fiona Lamb and Richard Holland said the not guilty pleas were submitted on the basis that none of the defendants was aware the that the cigarettes being sold were counterfeit and not the genuine brand make purported.

Following discussions between the various parties, a trial date was agreed, of an estimated four-day duration, starting at the court on Monday March 19, next year.

The Braces, of two different addresses in Everton Drive, and both Wilkinsons, of separate addresses in Calvert Terrace, were granted unconditional bail until the start of the trial.