A MOTHER has been accused of leaving her young children home alone.

The 22-year-old was arrested after the two youngsters, aged six and four at the time, were allegedly found in a street looking for her earlier this year.

After her arrest, police charged the woman with two charges of child neglect and released her on bail to appear before York magistrates.

She is alleged to have left the children alone and without proper provision or care in their home and to have left the doors unlocked on April 15.

During the brief hearing before York magistrates, she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address.

Magistrates decided the case was too serious for them to deal with and ordered the Crown Prosecution Service to prepare committal papers.

The mother gave no indication of her plea.

The woman was released on conditional bail and will return to York Magistrates Court in August, when the magistrates expect to commit her for trial before a judge and jury at York Crown Court.

The Press is not naming the woman to protect the identity of the children, who cannot be named for legal reasons.