A pre-trial review is underway at Douglas Courthouse for seven people accused of election fraud.

The hearing, before Deemster Turner, is to allow legal teams to lay out the issues which will face the court when the defendants stand trial.

The charges all relate to campaigning during the Douglas East House of Keys by-election which took place in 2010.

All seven have been granted bail.

Charles Stanley Lewin, of Ballavitchell Road in Crosby, faces allegations of conspiracy, as do Onchan residents Kerry Louise Rothwell of Summerhill Road and Catherine Elizabeth Ligging of Little Mill Road.

Gail Rosemary Corrin, of Cronk-y-Berry Avenue in Douglas, is accused of conspiracy, while Marc Alan Bonser of Ballaughton Close in Douglas is charged with a voting offence and forging documents with intent to deceive.

Geoffrey Andrew Callister, of Ballakilley Close in Port Erin, is alleged to have forged documents with intent to deceive, as is Mark Joseph Weir of Willaston Crescent in Douglas.

All deny all the charges against them, and a trial lasting six weeks is expected to start later this year – with a date set at the end of the pre-trial hearing.