THREE former Whitstable men accused of plotting to kidnap a New Zealand millionaire will face trial next year.

Lawyer John Burrett, 52, his nephew Matthew Payne, 21 and stepson Simon Philpott, 24, appeared in court in Wellington again this week to hear that a date has been set for late April.

The trio were arrested by New Zealand police in July and have been in custody ever since on kidnap and firearm charges, which they deny.

They are accused of preparing an underground bunker for the intended victim who has not been named. Police intervened but all three claim it was an elaborate game and they did not mean to harm anyone.

This week Burrett and Payne again asked for bail which the judge, Justice Grant Hammond, refused.