THREE men have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with fraudulently claiming they had carried out over £20,000 worth of roofing work when they had in fact only done £500 worth of work.

Jon-Paul Fawcett, 29, of Barker house Road, Nelson, Lee Shepherd, 29, of Carleton Street, Nelson, and Gary Heseltine, 22, of Joseph Street, Barrowford, were all sent on bail to Preston Crown Court charged with committing fraud in Darwen by making a false representation that they were carrying out building work intending to make a financial gain for themselves.

Fawcett and Shepherd did not indicate a plea and Heseltine pleaded not guilty. They are all due to appear before the Crown Court on January 15.