FORMER dustman Mark Hobson appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court today accused of two double murders.

The 34-year-old was remanded in custody to appear before Leeds Crown Court next Friday.

There was a flurry of media activity outside the courtroom as Hobson arrived at court at 9.30am today in a blacked-out police van.

More than 20 press and TV reporters crammed into the small courtroom to cover the case, as many more waited outside.

At 9.58am Hobson was led up stairs from court cells into the dock, flanked by two security officers.

He was unshaven, unkempt and weatherbeaten, and was nervous and shaking as the charges were read out to him.

Hobson, wearing jeans and a blue Kangol t-shirt, spoke only to confirm his age and to confirm that he understood the charges. He gave his address as New Lane, Selby.

He was represented in court by Selby solicitor Keith Haggerty, and prosecuting was Nicholas Ralph.

No application for bail was made during the four-minute hearing before magistrates' chairman Mrs Jacki Moorehouse.

Afterwards he was led back downstairs into the cells.

Hobson was charged with murdering his 27-year-old girlfriend Claire Sanderson on July 11 and her twin sister, Diane on July 17, as well as elderly couple James and Joan Britton on July 18.

The bodies of the sisters were found at a flat in Camblesforth, near Selby, on the morning of Sunday, July 18.

Retired railway surveyor Mr Britton, 80, and his 82-year-old wife were discovered dead a few hours later in their large detached home about 25 miles away at Strensall, near York.

Hobson was arrested on Sunday in fields at Shipton-by-Beningbrough following a seven-day nationwide search involving up to ten police forces.

The alarm was raised by Derrick North, who owns a garage in the village on the A19, after Hobson had gone in to buy matches and cigarette papers.

Hobson was charged with four counts of murder yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Police detectives have widened their investigation into the deaths to include Huntington - since Hobson's arrest. Residents in the village have been visited by officers to find out if they had any "significant" information or sightings relating to the case between Sunday, July 18 and Sunday, July 25. Those who were out when police called have been sent letters, ordering them to phone officers on 01904 631321.

Superintendent Iain Spittal said they wanted to establish whether anybody else had information relating to the case who had still not come forward.

Meanwhile, the Brittons' daughters, Catherine Wilkins and Anne Squires, thanked York residents through the Evening Press for their "amazing support" during their ordeal.

They said the flood of sympathy cards from friends and family had been "wonderful".

Updated: 14:11 Friday, July 30, 2004