A non-league football club's former accountant has pleaded guilty to stealing more than £70,000 from his employer.

Philip Haslam of Weldbank Lane, Chorley - who had previously denied three counts of theft and two counts of burglary - entered his plea at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

The hat trick of theft offences occurred when Haslam was at Chorley Football Club, and included stealing £40,901 from the club - currently managed by former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City player Garry Flitcroft - between March and September 2011.

The other charges involve £22,221 relating to Chorley Sporting Club, and £6,000 from Chorley FC's Black and White draw.

The 26-year-old also confessed to trespassing at Chorley FC's offices between September 3 and 6, 2011, and stealing £300.

He employed the same method between September 5 and 8, 2011, to walk off with a further £1,000.

Haslam was released on conditional bail until sentencing.

He was arrested in September 2011 after the club unearthed financial irregularities.