A HAMPSHIRE couple, accused of carrying out a near £1m tax and national insurance fraud at their children’s nursery business, have had their case adjourned.

Michael and Marina Scott should have stood trial at Southampton Crown Court on December 1.

But yesterday Judge Peter Henry granted a defence application for an adjournment as a key witness has to undergo surgery and will not be fit to give evidence.

Their case has now been set for May.

Michael Scott, 61, has denied abusing his position of trust as an employer by failing to account for national insurance contributions and/or pay as you earn payments.

Marina Scott, 58, has pleaded not guilty to faling to disclose information that national insurance contributions and/or pay as you earn payments on behalf of staff had not been acounted for.

The couple ran Pixies day nurseries in Locks Heath and Woolston, Southampton. Both are on bail.