A primary school employee is set to appear in court today charged with stealing nearly £40,000 of children’s dinner money and sports club fees.

Linda Bird, 51, is accused of pocketing the cash while working for Upshire Primary School in Waltham Abbey.

Bird of St. Thomas's Close, Waltham Abbey is alleged to have falsified accounts by writing down that children had paid her less than they had, so that she can take the rest for herself.

She faces nine charges of theft and false accounting between 2008 and 2012.

The school has been asked to comment.