THREE suspected loan sharks are to stand trial accused of running an unlicensed money lending business.

The trio includes a 49-year-old woman from Castle Rise, Runcorn, a 56-year-old man from Great Sankey, and a 34-year-old man from Halewood.

The trial is set to start on Monday, April 8, 2013, and is expected to last three weeks.

The court is yet to be confirmed.

The trio was investigated by the England Illegal Money Lending Team working in partnership with Cheshire Police, Halton Council, Warrington Council and Knowsley Council.

The man from Warrington is also charged with three offences under the firearms act, and will stand trial for these offences separately at Warrington Crown Court, on Monday, October 29.

The trio was arrested and charged on the same day in March this year for the money lending offences.

Nationally, the Stop Loan Shark Project has secured more than 212 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to 134 years worth of custodial sentences.

They have written off almost £40 million worth of illegal debt and helped more than 18,000 victims.

To report a loan shark, call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222, text ‘loan shark + your message’ to 60003, e-mail, visit reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk facebook.com/stoploansharksproject or log-on to www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks