TWO days have been set aside later this month for the trial of two nursery workers accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner to children in their care.

Nicola Jeffrey, who is 22, and 34-year-old Teresa Renton are alleged to have committed the offence on various occasions between January 1, 2015, and August 1, 2016 at Little Reivers Nursery in Duns, which has since closed.

They both pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of shouting, forcibly dragging children about and lifting them off the floor by the arm.

They are also accused of locking children inside cupboards and refusing to let them out, making offensive and abusive comments towards and about young children and behaving in an aggressive, threatening and abusive manner.

Jeffrey is further alleged to have seized hold of the arm of an injured child who was receiving treatment from a colleague and it was later ascertained the arm had sustained two fractures.

Jeffrey is also said to changed the nappy of a child in a public place in view of the public on a concrete floor without using any mat.

Renton of Ainslie Terrace and Jeffrey of Rachel Drive, both Duns, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on October 25 and 26.