A prosecution arising from the deaths of four men on a construction site will be heard before a crown court judge.

Daniel Hazelton, 30, his brother Thomas Hazelton, 26, and Peter Johnson, 42, all from Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk; and Adam Taylor, 28, of Rickinghall, Suffolk, died at Claxton Engineering Services' yard in Great Yarmouth when a steel cage they were working in collapsed.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has brought a prosecution against a director and three companies following the fatal accident in 2011.

The defendants are David Groucott, director of Encompass Project Management; and the companies Claxton Engineering Services, of Ferryside, Ferry Road, Norwich, Encompass Project Management, of The Gables, Old Market, Thetford and Hazegood Construction, of Bury Lodge, Bury Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk.

They are charged with safety offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Groucott and representatives of the three companies appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court today.

District judge Peter Veits said: 'I have no hesitation in saying all matters should be dealt with in crown court.'

No pleas were taken at today's hearing, and the case will be heard at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday, March 1 at 10am.'

In 2013 the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to charge any of the parties with manslaughter.