An EAST Kent couple and a man from Essex appeared in court at Dover today charged with money laundering offences.

Gerald Reardon, a consultant and broker, and his wife Sharon, a company director, of Church Lane, Molash, were remanded in custody until December 17. Both are 52 years old.

Matthew Sharman, a businessman, from Langdon Hills, Basildon, was released on conditional bail until December 22.

The three were among five people arrested by Customs after investigators seized about £1 million in cash at an address in Southwark, South London, on Friday, and then went on to search premises in Kent and Essex.

A fourth person was released late on Friday night and the fifth was bailed until February.