A former Eagle Heights employee accused of setting up a fake fundraising campaign in aid of a football club’s mascot will stand trial next year.

Daniel Clark also allegedly transferred £20,000 in donations to the bird reserve into his bank account.

The 21-year-old, of Mill Road, Hawley, denied fraud by abuse of position and money laundering when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court last Thursday.

He will now stand trial over three to four days at the same court from April 9.

Clark, who worked at the wildlife centre between 2014 and last year, allegedly set up a fundraising page for Crystal Palace’s mascot Kayla the bald eagle, which lives at the Eynsford site.

The page claimed to be affiliated with Eagle Heights but allegedly was not linked. It is claimed just over £2,400 of donations made to the campaign were transferred to Clark’s bank account.

Further investigations showed £20,000 in cash had been deposited into the account during his employment, money the prosecution claims had been donated to Eagle Heights.

At a previous hearing Jason Lush, defending, said his client completely denied any dishonest or fraudulent activity.

If found guilty Clark could face up to four years in jail.