THE trial date is to be moved in the case of a man alleged to have started a series of fires in a town over a five-day period earlier this year.

Andrew Derbyshire previously appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city's nearby prison, accused of six counts of arson, all in Stanley, County Durham, on either February 10 or 14 this year.

Among the premises allegedly targeted was Burnside Primary School, in South Stanley, which suffered damaged to the reception area and to two nearby classrooms, causing an extended closure while repairs were carried out to the building.

Other charges related to blazes started in wheelie bins pushed up against old people’s bungalows, on the Poets Estate in the town, resulting in an 84-year-old resident of one property receiving hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Although the case was transferred to Teesside Crown Court, due to a shortage of available listing dates at Durham, the trial was provisionally pencilled in to begin on July 20.

But that date is now to be vacated due to unavailability of counsel at that time, so an alternative is to be agreed through court administration.

The 21-year-old defendant, of Cheviot Terrace, Stanley, who was previously remanded in custody, has subsequently been granted bail following an application to a judge in chambers.

Once a new start date is agreed the case will be “mentioned” prior to the trial.