A school manager is facing a jail sentence for stealing thousands of pounds.

Sandra Ross transferred more than £170,000 from the coffers of Temple Mill Primary, Strood, into her own accounts.

The 63-year-old bursar has admitted 21 fraud offences, committed while she worked at the school in Cliffe Road, between May 2005 and September 2010.

She was suspended from her job when the matters came to light and then sacked.

Ross used funds to pay for items and services including: residential care (£34,001), furniture (£2,747), Mercedes car (£1,000), computer (£429), groceries (£691), clothes (£1,409) and decorating (£5,925).

A spokesman for Medway Council said: "This person was working in a trusted position when they defrauded a local primary school for their own personal gain.

"As soon as this came to light, Ross was suspended from her post and subsequently dismissed at the end of March last year.

"We understand the police are now proceeding with recovery action under the Proceeds of Crime Act and we will do whatever we can to assist them."

Ross also used funds to pay a Mastercard account (£3,985), council tax to the Isle of Wight Council (£578), Age Concern (£745), BUPA (£850), Bonchurch Bungalows (£2,534), skip services (£391) and masonry (£214).

Ross, of Stone Croft, Meopham, has been granted bail until sentence at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, October 19.

However, Judge Martin Joy warned that custody was inevitable.