A CHARITY shop manager is to appear at Chester Crown Court charged with stealing cash from the charity’s coffers.

Christopher Hardern, 34, from Chester, has pleaded not guilty to taking £1,980 from British Heart Foundation while he was in charge of the Frodsham Street premises between July 29 and August 23 last year.

He is also charged with taking a quantity of cheques although they were recovered by police before they were used.

The defendant will appear at Chester Crown Court on Monday, February 2.