Last updated at 19:43, Thursday, 31 May 2012

A senior member of staff has been sacked from Cockermouth’s Lakes Home Centre and police are investigating after allegations that money was taken from the company.

Police have confirmed that a 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and bailed while inquiries continue.

It is understood she lives in the town.

Lakes Home Centre managing director Patrick Lister said that a woman had been dismissed from the store’s accounts department but would not confirm how much money was involved.

The arrest came after another employee found a discrepancy in the end-of-year accounts for the Low Road store.

The woman arrested had worked at the store since before Mr Lister took over in 2004.

He declined to comment further.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria police confirmed that the force had been contacted by a Cockermouth business regarding allegations of theft of money by an employee.

She said: “As a result, a woman aged 42 was arrested on suspicion of fraud and has been bailed until July 9, while police continue with their inquiries.”

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 31 May 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk