EX-MAYOR of Halton, Pat Tyrrell, his wife, daughter and grandson are to stand trial for alleged election fraud.

No pleas have been made and all four will face a judge and jury at Warrington Crown Court on Monday, October 10.

The former Castlefields councillor appeared before Runcorn magistrates with his family last Wednesday.

Mr Tyrrell, 74, of Caernarvon Close, is charged with two counts of impersonation and 10 counts of making a false statement.

His wife and former mayoress, Jean Tyrrell, 70, of the same address, faces three charges of making a false statement.

The couple's eldest daughter, Jean Liggett, 46, of St Mary's Road, Halton Village, Runcorn, is charged with five counts of making false statements.

Their grandson, Alexander Liggett, 19, also of St Mary's Road, faces two counts of making false statements.

All four confirmed their name, age and address, during the three minute committal hearing but did not enter any pleas.

They were remanded on unconditional bail and their legal aid extended.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Orme presented committal papers to magistrates.

The alleged offences occurred during last June's local and European elections when Mr Tyrrell was Mayor of Halton and standing for re-election in the Castlefields ward.

They relate to the suspected filling in of ballot forms in the absence of the voter and are alleged to have taken place between June 1 and 10 last year.

bjordan@worldgroup.co.uk