A MAN has denied seven offences of theft from shops allegedly involving hundreds of pounds worth of computer equipment.

Nigel Leech, 35, of Gloucester Road, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to theft of a DVD drive and CD writer from PC World, the theft of a web camcorder, disc drive and computer paper from Comet, theft of battery chargers from Poundstretcher and jeans from Matalan.

All the offences are said to have taken place in shops in the Blackpool area on September 17.

Leech asked for trial at crown court and was bailed to January 2 by Blackpool magistrates for committal.

Co-accused Lee Suddick, 20, of Hereford Road, Blackburn, had seven identical charges of theft against him dropped after magistrates heard there was insufficient evidence against him.