A 61-year-old man will stand trial accused of stealing a priceless painting from Chester Cathedral later this week.

The 18th century Greek Orthodox icon depicting the Raising of Lazarus was stolen from the cathedral’s Chapel of St Anselm in August 2014, but recovered by police the following month.

Vasilijs Apilats, of Edleston Road in Crewe, was charged with the theft two years ago and entered a plea of not guilty during an earlier court hearing.

His trial, which is expected to last two days, will begin at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (September 14).