Two Sussex men have been charged in connection with a worldwide multi-million pound fraud investigation.

David Andrews and Dennis Alexander have been jointly accused with two other men of conspiracy to defraud.

A team of detectives has spent months investigating the alleged fraud in countries including Australia and the USA.

Officers from Sussex Police also spent several weeks gathering evidence in New Zealand.

David Andrews, 36, a partner in Brighton-based firm Corporate Advances, appeared before Bow Street magistrates in London on November 24.

Andrew, of Polegate Road, Hailsham, had to provide a £50,000 surety.

Andrews' former partner Dennis Alexander, 45, a former ski instructor, of Romney Road, Rottingdean, Brighton, appeared on November 28 and had to provide a £100,000 surety.

They were both charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Two other men from Darlington have also been charged with conspiracy to defraud.

George Steen, 52, was charged with conspiring to defraud.

Colin Hardy, 55, was also charged with conspiracy this week and released on police bail.

All four men are due to appear at the same court on February 28.

The investigation is being overseen by the Serious Fraud Office in London. The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 1996 and June 1999.