A Teignmouth undertaker has admitted stealing thousands of pounds from donations intended for charity at funerals which he conducted.

Robert Loveridge, aged 62, took around £5,000 from 12 different charities over more than nine years while organising funerals in Teignmouth, Devon.

The charities include two hospices and five organisations which fund medical research, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Loveridge, of Second Avenue, Teignmouth, ran funeral directors Harris and Loveridge in the town and stole the money between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016.

The offences came to light when families raised concerns that cash collected for their loved ones’ favoured charities at their funerals had not been handed over.

Loveridge admitted stealing money from Rowcroft Hospice, the Children’s Hospice South West, the Macular Society, the Alzheimer’s Society, the British Heart Foundation, the Stroke Association, and the Dementia Society.

He also admitted stealing donations intended for the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, Devon Air Ambulance, Teignmouth Coastwatch, the Teignmouth League of Friends, and the RNLI.

There are expected to be further offences which will be taken into consideration when the case is sentenced.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned the case for sentence until October12 for a probation pre sentence report. He released Loveridge on bail.

Mr Peter Seigne, defending, said Loveridge had come to court ready to be sentenced, but the case could not be dealt with today.