A SACKED charity worker and animal rights activist from Saltash has been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Steve Taylor was axed as spokesman for the anti-hunting organisation the League Against Cruel Sports earlier this week.

The 35-year-old was sacked by the Surrey-based charity for gross misconduct following a disciplinary investigation centering around expenses claims.

Now the former head of campaigns and communications has been questioned by police probing possible financial irregularities.

A force spokeswoman said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud after Surrey Police received concerns regarding financial irregularities at an organisation based in Waverley.

"The 35-year-old man from Saltash, Cornwall, was arrested on November 21 and has been released on bail pending further enquiries."

The League Against Cruel Sports said it had passed its documents and disciplinary papers to the police and industry regulator the Charity Commission.

A spokesman for the charity said the "potential loss will not have a material effect upon the ability of the league to fulfil its objectives".

He added: "We do take a zero tolerance approach to any wrongdoing and for this reason we are co-operating fully with the police in their investigations. We are pleased that our systems worked well in picking this matter up and we will do everything in our power to recover the sum concerned.

"It would be inappropriate for the League to discuss the details of this case or make any further comment until the police investigations are completed."

Mr Taylor is understood to have also previously worked for other charities.

He is due to answer bail at Guildford Police Station on January 10, Surrey Police confirmed.

In a statement, the Charity Commission added: "The charity the League Against Cruel Sports has contacted the Charity Commission to inform us of concerns in relation to financial matters within the charity.

"Based on the information given by the charity, we are satisfied that the trustees of the charity are dealing with the matter appropriately and reviewing any relevant policies and procedures in this area."