A MOTHER has appeared in court accused of the serious long-term neglect of her three children.

The 39-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Plymouth magistrates charged with neglecting children now aged two, five and nine.

The woman, who lives in Plymouth, denied three charges which together cover the period from 2001 until November last year.

Angela Furniss, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the two-year-old was medically examined and found to have fleas, headlice and eczema.

She said there were no signs that the child had received any recent moisturiser for the skin condition.

Mrs Furniss added that the five-year-old also had headlice and eczema.

She said that the eldest child was also seen, with a 'similar outcome'.

Mrs Furniss added that the woman's house was then examined and found to be 'smelly and untidy'.

She said that hardly any food was found in the house.

Magistrates agreed to hear the case, but the mother elected for her trial to be heard by a judge and jury.

She was released on unconditional bail to appear before magistrates again on March 17.