David Head, Wiltshire County Council's head of emergency planning, pleaded not guilty to charges of obtaining property by deception dating from April 15, 1999 through to April 30 at Swindon Crown Court last Friday.

The sums involved total more than £300. Head, 64, of Canters Way, Minety, denied all of the charges and the case was adjourned for a trial by jury at a later date.