A BURNLEY solicitor charged as part of police probe into alleged money laundering today said he was "sickened" by the charge and vowed to prove his innocence.

John Greenwood, 47, a partner at GHT, in Nicholas Street, was charged with conspiracy to money launder this week and will appear in Preston Crown Court on Thursday.

His solicitor, Anthony Barnfather, partner of the business crime department of Manchester firm, Pannone and Partners, said: "These allegations concern events that occurred many years ago.

"Throughout this lengthy investigation our client has done his utmost to assist the police.

"He is sickened by the charge and will contest this case until his innocence is proved."

Greenwood, of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, was the second Burnley solicitor to be charged as part of the probe involving an East Lancashire drugs gang, The Firm.

This year Basil Dearing, 60, a senior partner at SFN, in Red Lion Street, was charged with money laundering and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Dearing, of Lower Chapel Lane, in Grindleton, near Clitheroe, appeared at Preston Crown Court with nine other defendants last month.

Solicitor John Broughton, 53, of Foulridge, who runs a practice in Keighley, and legal representative Noel Tully, 36, of Liverpool, are charged with a single count of money laundering and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Also in court were Cathy Glover, 39, of Wycoller Avenue, Burnley, the wife of Matthew Glover, the mastermind behind The Firm; Rosalind Glover, 44, of Keighley; Steven Glover, 45, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, and Thelma Johnstone, 40, of the same address. They were charged with money laundering.

John England, 56, of Seabrook Drive, Cleveland; Melvin Radford, 44, of no fixed address, and Anthony Radford, 45, of Heather View, Skipton, also appeared charged with money laundering and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

And Burnley car dealer, Christopher Spokes, 36, of Brennand Street, Burnley, who is charged with money laundering offences, also appeared.

None of the defendants entered pleas and no charges were put to them by the prosecution.