AN electrical store worker has been cleared of stealing £1,000 from the day's takings.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court returned a verdict of not guilty against Nicholas Yardley, an administrative assistant at Comet electrical store in Leigh. The court heard that there had been no direct evidence against Yardley but that he had been the last person to seal a security bag and put it into the safe.

When the bag reached the bank a few days later staff found there was £1,000 in £20 notes missing.

Yardley, aged 29, of Warwick Street, Leigh, had been on trial at Bolton Crown Court. He had denied one charge of theft of £1,000 from Comet.

When interviewed by police Yardley agreed he had checked the cash and that £1,000 in £20 notes had been in the bag when it was put in the safe. He told police he did not know what had happened to the missing cash and said somebody else must have taken the money.