FIVE people are facing charges over a string of alleged frauds totalling nearly �25,000 involving post offices in Suffolk and Norfolk.

The allegations are also said to involve Alliance and Leicester Building Society.

Among the towns and villages where involved are Great Cornard near Sudbury, Hadleigh, and Pakenham and Barningham, which are both near Bury St Edmunds.

Robert Fenner, of Melford Road, Sudbury, is accused of six counts of fraud by false representation. The allegations are said to have occurred between February and March 2010 and involve a total of �18,666.

The 37-year-old faces a further charge of money laundering, which alleges �2,340 gained illegally was transferred to people in the Czech Republic.

Maria Wheeler, of Hopton Road, Barningham, faces four fraud charges.

These are said to have taken place between July and August 2010 and involve a total of �4,454.

The allegations are said to have taken place with another person on each occasion.

Luke Wheeler, 21, of Hawthorn Close, Bury St Edmunds, is jointly accused of three of the offences, while Larry Goldsmith, who lives at the same address as Maria Wheeler, is her co-defendant on one of the charges. A fourth man, George Barr, of Hardy Court, Sudbury, faces one count of fraud on February 26, 2010, involving a sum of �600.

All the alleged deceptions are said to have involved authorisation to collect amounts of money with permission having been given by Alliance and Leicester Building Society.

All the defendants were summoned to appear before Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court.Barr’s case has been re-listed for November 28. A further hearing has been set at Bury St Edmunds for December 12, in order for the other defendants to be committed to crown court.