FOUR people are to stand trial in the New Year charged with murdering a man said to have been strangled and set on fire.

Georgina Smith, 21, Allan Nicol, 35, Thomas Moore, 26, and Martin McGowan, 28, appeared for a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

They are accused of killing Scott Blackwood in Saltcoats, Ayrshire in July this year. The murder allegation includes claims that Mr Blackwood had white spirit thrown over him and was set on fire "or otherwise scalded or burned".

It is said to have happened after the 30 year-old was attacked with a metal bar, a piece of wood and a knife.

The four are due to stand trial in February next year.