THREE men arrested on suspicion of plotting to steal fuel on the Somerset Levels have been charged.

Henry Hughes, Carl Salway and Ivor Hughes allegedly targeted a vulnerable area near Muchelney and were stopped in their 4x4 vehicle.

The trio were arrested in the early hours of February 7 and have all been charged with going equipped to steal.

The charge outlined against the men claims they had ‘articles for use in the course of, or in connection with, theft, namely three 25-litre canisters, a length of hose connected to a battery operated pump and a large battery pack’.

Henry Hughes, 35, of Hawkwell Park, Hawkchurch, and Mr Salway, 45, of Stapleton Close, Martock, both denied the offence when they appeared at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court last week.

They were both bailed to appear at Taunton Crown Court later this month, while Ivor Hughes, 41, of Hainbury Farm, Ilchester, is yet to appear.