A jury hearing the case of four women alleged to have taken luxury holidays using false credit card details has been discharged.

The decision was taken because of the bad weather and other complications. A fresh trial will start at Maidstone Crown Court on January 25.

Nikki McKenna, 28, of Pattenden Gardens, East Peckham, Pauline Checksfield, 62, of Howick Close, Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford, Cheryl Dawson, 22, of Clive House, Royal British Legion Village, and Haley Donlon, 22, of Wordsworth Road, Maidstone, deny conspiracy to commit fraud between April 1 2008 and July 27 last year.

They are accused of being part of a gang which cheated holiday company Thomas Cook out of more than £200,000 by making 78 fraudulent bookings.

McKenna and Checksfield also deny defrauding Sainsbury's supermarket by using false credit card details to buy groceries on line between October 1 2007 and July 31 2008.

Others have either pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge or are facing a separate trial.