A FORMER Rossendale councillor has been charged with fraud offences relating to the theft of £10,000.
Stephen Birtwell, of Oak Avenue, Rising Bridge, was interviewed and charged by detectives yesterday afternoon.
A police spokesman said the charges related to Mr Birtwell's spell of office with Rossendale Council's Haslingden Estate Management Board.
He has been charged with six counts of false accounting, forgery and deception.
Mr Birtwell, 54, is an accountant who has previously worked for Butlins holiday camps. He was a Conservative councillor for the Worsley ward in Haslingden for four years.
He was de-selected by his local party last year and stood as a 'no party candidate' in 2002 -- finishing last in the election.
He is due to appear before magistrates in Rossendale on Wednesday March 5.
A Rossendale Borough Council spokesman said they were unable to comment.
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