A WAREHOUSEMAN admitted stealing dozens of rolls of exclusive leather wallpaper, worth around £10,000, when he appeared before Burnley magistrates.

Bosses at a Rossendale firm became suspicious when the leather wallcovering turned up for sale with a rival distributor.

An investigation was launched and the finger of suspicion eventually pointed at warehouse operative Michael Smith, 20, formerly of Schofield Street, Waterfoot.

Smith, now of Medway, Stubbins, admitted theft of the leather wallpaper from a Rossendale company.

Magistrates decided he should be committed for sentence to Burnley Crown Court and bailed Smith until February 21.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said Smith's bosses initially became suspicious earlier this year when it was discovered, during a stock-check, that 20 rolls of the leather wallpaper had gone missing.

Smith was initially asked to conduct his own inquiry into where the missing wallpaper had disappeared to. This failed to reveal what had happened to it.

The firm moved premises and the wallpaper, which was only sold to one client, continued to go missing.

One of the firm's directors, Anthony Burke, suspected Smith was involved and later discovered that the leather wallpaper was on sale with a rival company.

When he asked where the firm had obtained the goods, the trail led back to Smith, said Mr Parker.

Arrested and interviewed by police, Smith admitted he had stolen the wallpaper on about six occasions, receiving around £600 in total for the rolls.

The court heard that Smith, who has no previous convictions, had co-operated full with the police investigation.