A couple have appeared in court accused of conspiring to burgle a Suffolk church with intent to steal.

Wally Loveridge and Sheila Parker are alleged to emtered St Mary the Virgin Church in Church Lane, Martlesham as trespassers between January 5 and April 15 this year.

The pair made their first appearance on the charge before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court in Ipswich during a hearing lasting around five minutes.

No pleas were entered by either defendant.

Richard Newman, the clerk of the court, told magistrates that as it was a conspiracy charge the matter could only be dealt with by a crown court.

Loveridge and Parker, both of Rushton Avenue, Watford, were told the next hearing of their case would take place at Ipswich Crown Court.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 8.

A provisional trial window was given as between February 15 and March 25.

At the end of the hearing magistrates told Loveridge, 51, and Parker, 41, that they would be released on conditional bail.

The condition is that they are currently prohibited from entering any church in Suffolk.