Christchurch, July 31 NZPA - Two men charged with the armed hold-up of three Christchurch pharmacies appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning.

Peter John Wafer, 45, and Stephen Edward Wells, 48, were charged with three aggravated robberies using a knife, two charges of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, and Wells was also charged with driving while disqualified.

Both men are unemployed and live in Addington.

They were remanded in custody to August 3.

They are charged that on June 29 they robbed the St Martins Pharmacy at knife-point and took a large amount of controlled drugs.

On July 14 they are accused of stealing a vehicle from a car yard and robbing Woodham Road Pharmacy of drugs, again at knife-point.

On July 29 they are charged with taking another car from another car yard, and on July 30, using a knife in the robbery of Bealey Avenue Pharmacy of drugs.

Police say they were stopped at the corner of Bealey Avenue and Papanui Road within minutes of the last armed robbery.