A temporary worker for a Christian housing association forged cheques to steal more than £22,000 from her employers.

Ruth Rodgers appeared before Brighton magistrates and admitted two charges of theft and two of forgery.

Mrs Rodgers, 48, of The Gardens, Southwick, stole the money from the Christian Diocesan Housing Association in Hove, where she worked as a temporary ledgers clerk.

The court heard how between May 4 and May 13 Mrs Rodgers wrote out two cheques, each for £11,368.49, drawing on her employer's account.

The cheques were written to a limited company set up by Mrs Rodgers and of which she was also company secretary.

Libby Clark, prosecuting, said: "She wrote them, took them, cashed them and was in funds to an excess of £22,000."

Mrs Rodgers was arrested on December 5 and appeared in court yesterday.

She was granted unconditional bail to appear in crown court for sentencing at a later date.