A former staff member at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has admitted stealing almost £153,000 from a hospital bank account.

The theft took place over just under six years from January 2011 to November 2016, according to prosecutors.

Steven Hart, 41, of Arlington Close, Attleborough, was charged with theft for taking £152,697 from an endowment account at the hospital.

Hart on Friday pleaded guilty to the charge at Norwich Magistrates Court and the case was sent to Norwich Crown Court for sentencing.

He was released on unconditional bail.

A spokesman for the N&N said: 'The trust's finance department discovered apparent anomalies in one of our bank accounts in January 2017 and, following investigation, a junior member of staff was suspended and subsequently dismissed and the matter referred to the police.

'Given the ongoing legal proceedings it would not be appropriate to comment any further.'