A COUNCILLOR accused of embezzlement ran up a huge bill at the Ritz Hotel in London's Piccadilly, a court has heard.

An invoice for £1638.70 for between September 7 and 9, 2007, was found in papers seized by police from Gordon Beurskens. The total - covering accommodation, dinner, bar bills and toiletries - included an £800 "gratuity", a jury at Livingston Sheriff Court was told.

Mr Beurskens, 51, pleads not guilty to two charges of embezzling nearly £80,000 from pensioners James and Janet McQue, between 2006 and 2009.

The offences are alleged to have been committed at addresses in West Lothian - including at his office in West Lothian Council headquarters in Livingston. The trial continues.