FOUR men will stand trial next year accused of taking part in an attempted armed robbery at a village post office.

Ian Hart, 31, Russell Frederick Snowdon, 28, George Henry Appleby, 48, and 37-year-old Paul Sherrington are charged with attempted robbery of two female assistants at the post office in Front Street, Shotton Colliery, east Durham, on June 10.

They are also accused of possessing an imitation firearm at the time of committing a robbery.

Mr Hart, of Goodyear Crescent, Sherburn Road Estate, Mr Snowdon, of Holly Park, Ushaw Moor, and Mr Appleby, of Gilesgate, all in the Durham area, each denied both charges at the city's crown court last Friday.

They were remanded in custody pending the trial, which is scheduled to start on February 21 and is expected to last up to two weeks.

In a further hearing yesterday, Mr Sherrington, of Millbrook, Gateshead, applied to have the charges against him dismissed.

Following the hearing, Judge John Milford dismissed the application and Mr Sherrington then offered not guilty pleas to both charges.

Mr Sherrington also remains in custody prior to the trial.

A separate bail application on Mr Hart's behalf was also turned down by the judge yesterday.