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Six women have been convicted of operating a "pyramid" scheme in which thousands of investors lost money.

The "Give and Take" scheme operated in south-west England and south Wales five years ago, Bristol Crown Court heard.

All six were from the Bristol area and their scheme saw more than £20m invested by about 10,000 members of the public, often vulnerable women.

It can now be reported three other women had already received suspended sentences for promoting the scheme.