A CARNFORTH woman has denied a charge of ill treatment and neglect of a person with a lack of capacity in a North Lancashire care home.

Gemma Pearson, 27, of Hill Street, appeared in Lancaster Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday) along with three other former co-workers at Hillcroft Nursing Home in Slyne-with-Hest.

The other defendants were Darren Smith, 34, of Howgill Avenue, Lancaster, who is charged with eight offences, Katie Cairns, 26, of Riverview Court, Morecambe, who is charged with four offences, and Carol Moore, 53, of Ripon Avenue, Lancaster, who is charged with six offences.

The charged have been brought by the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to a total of eight victims between May 2010 and September 2011.

All four pleaded not guilty and were given conditional bail to appear at crown court on February 18. The location has not yet been confirmed.