A primary school worker accused of stealing children's dinner money is set to stand trial today.

Linda Bird, 51, of Thomas's Close in Waltham Abbey, is accused of nine counts of theft and false accounting relating to her time working at Upshire Primary School.

In a seperate case, Gina Matthews, of Barfields Path in Loughton, is also due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court today charged with stealing £60,000 from her mother.

Matthews, 41, is accused of cashing 31 cheques and stealing mail and a debit card belonging to Pauline Chalkley.