Two city financiers who allegedly plotted to defraud customers and stole more than £100,000 will appear in court next month.

Michael Moore and Haydon Driscoll are charged with conspiring to commit fraud and stealing the money between July 2011 and November 2012.

It is alleged the pair, who were at Maidstone Magistrates' Court today for a first hearing, told investors they could sell them carbon credits — tradable certificates that allow people to emit greenhouse gases.

Thirty-three-year-old Moore, of Cripple Street, in Loose, Maidstone, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit fraud and one count of stealing £2,500 from an investor.

Haydon Driscoll, 39, of Otford, faces the same conspiracy and theft charges in addition to 16 different counts of stealing money to the value of £102,570.

Due to the severity of alleged offences the case was transferred to the town's crown court where both men will appear on May 1. No pleas were entered.