A SOLICITOR from Burnley has appeared at crown court charged with theft, false accounting and making false instrument (forgery).

Kimberley Bridge, 42, of Cumbrian Way, appeared at Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

The defendant is a former partner at SFN Solicitors, of Red Lion Street.

Her sister Nicola Roach, 34, of Bramley Avenue, Burnley, is also charged with theft and false accounting.

She did not appear in court as she has been diagnosed with a serious form of cancer and has recently had an operation to have her leg amputated to just below the knee.

A potential trial date has been set for April 20 next year.