THE former clerk to Padiham Town Council has denied fraud allegations, said to involve more than £13,000, at Burnley Crown Court.

Elizabeth Bolton, 59, is accused of dishonestly abusing her position as clerk between January 1, 2007 and December 29, 2011.

Bolton, of Palace Gardens, Padiham Road, Burnley, pleaded not guilty to two fraud charges — that she paid herself a salary in excess of that to which she was entitled and that she made unauthorised transfers of money from a charity account and the mayor's charity account to disguise shortfalls in the main account.

The defendant, represented by Katherine Pierpoint, was unconditionally bailed until her trial on August 26.