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A couple this morning denied murdering a Gloucestershire man whose body was found in the River Frome.

Shaun Stokes, 31, and his partner Petra Stokes, 25, are accused of murdering Thomas Holt, of May Hill.

The 36-year-old was last seen by his family at the end of August and his body was found in the water at Avenbury, near Bromyard, on October 7.

The Stokes couple, of Hasnett Road, Ledbury, spoke only to enter not guilty pleas at Worcester Crown Court.

They were remanded in custody and a trial date was set for November 1 at Worcester Crown Court.

Shaun wore a grey sweater and blue jeans and Petra - who needed a Slovakian translator - wore black trousers and a purple cardigan.

The couple have a child together but are not married. Petra changed her name by deed-poll several years ago.

Judge Alistair McCrith said: ''Your trial date has been fixed for the earliest possible date, which is November 1.

''I have extended your custody time limit to November 5. You will be remanded in custody until then.''

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

For more, see tomorrow's Citizen.