TWO prison officers from East Lancashire are set to appear in court as part of a probe into the theft of £250,000 worth of goods a north-west jail.

The charges relate to the theft of more than £250,000 worth of electronic equipment from HMP Forest Bank in Salford.

Aidan Bligh, 38, of Billington Avenue, Rawtenstall, has been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences, and Samantha Bligh, 39, also of Billington Avenue, Rawtenstall, has been charged with proceeds of crime offences.

Meanwhile Paul Hewitt, 40, of James Street in Radcliffe, has been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences, and Paul Albertsen, 41, of Easton Close in Middleton has also been charged with theft and proceeds of crime offences.

All four will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 13. 

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed the charges relate to the theft of over £250,000 worth of electronic equipment from the Sodexo-run prison. Several other arrests are known to have been made previously connected with the same inquiry.