An official responsible for arranging energy contracts for Kent County Council has denied fraud charges involving more than £2 million.

Ross Knowles, of Larking Drive, Allington, Maidstone, was head of energy procurement at KCC when he is alleged to have committed two offences of fraud by abuse of position and one of transferring criminal property between August 12 2008 and January 6 this year.

Judge Philip Statman set the trial at Maidstone Crown Court for March 19 next year. Knowles, 42, had his unconditional bail continued.