THE case of a prominent former Labour councillor, charged with conspiracy to defraud and perjury, has been transferred back to the North West.

A judge in Shrewsbury took 10 minutes to decide the case involving Frank McKenna, the former deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, should be referred to Manchester Crown Court.

The case had originally been moved from the region to Shropshire amid fears that the publicity around the case would prevent Mr McKenna getting a fair hearing.

Mr McKenna, 38, of Field View, Skelmersdale, appeared with John Fillis, 42, of Southport Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire.

Both are charged that between January 6, 1997, and January 13, 1997, in Ormskirk they conspired to defraud Jane Smith and others by deceiving them into accepting a return of election expenses together with supporting receipts as genuine.

McKenna is also charged that on May 23, 1997, he knowingly and wilfully made a statement that a return of election expenses was complete and correct and that all the expenses that were shown in the return had been paid by him, contrary to section five of a perjury act.

Both charges relate to the 1997 general election, where Mr McKenna was an election agent.