MEMBERS of a family accused of involvement in an alleged European funding fraud amounting to almost £1m, have been told to attend their next court date.

All five appeared before North Durham magistrates at Consett earlier this month on charges brought following a police inquiry into the use of £986,031 in European Social Fund grants said to have been channelled through two companies in Cornsay Colliery, County Durham.

They were bailed to appear at a preliminary hearing at Durham Crown Court today.

But none of the defendants was present in court for the hearing as their barrister, Mark Harries, said there was a pregnancy in the family.

Judge Richard Lowden adjourned the case until July 31, but told Mr Harries that all five ought to attend.

Thomas Farrier, 62, said to be a director of the companies involved in the alleged fraud, and his 58-year-old wife, Marie, both of Wood View, Cornsay Colliery, are accused of conspiracy to launder money, between March 2003 and March 2007.

Their daughters, Melanie Farrier, 23, of Priestburn Close, Esh Winning, and 30-year-old Melissa Tunney, plus son-in-law James Tunney, 32, both of Welby Drive, Ushaw Moor, all near Durham, are also charged with conspiracy to launder money.

Mr Farrier and Mrs Tunney, said also a company director, each face two additional fraud charges.

All five will be asked to make their pleas to the various charges at the next hearing.