POLICE have charged two men in connection with an alleged string of betting shop robberies across Dorset and Dorset.

James Frampton, 29, of Byron Road, Eastleigh and Michael Purkiss, 55, of Arthur Road, Eastleigh, both face eight charges of robbery and eight of possessing a bladed article.

Officers are investigating eight reported incidents at bookmakers over an 18-day period last month.

Ladbrokes in Station Road, West Moors, was allegedly targeted at 8pm on Wednesday, January 16 and the same chain’s branch in Commercial Road, Poole five days later.

The other alleged incidents were in Southampton, Romsey, Holbury, Hedge End, Chandlers Ford and Bitterne.

Both men were due before Southampton magistrates on Saturday, February 2.