A former head of fraud and security with Lloyds banking group has been charged with an alleged £2.5m fraud.

The 50-year-old, from Crest Road, Croydon, was charged by police with one count of fraud by abuse of position on May 21.

The charges relate to a period between September 2008 and December 2011 where Mrs Harper is accused of using her position within Lloyds, by submitting false invoices, to claim the money illegally.

Andrew Penhale, Deputy Head of the CPS Central Fraud Group, said: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge Jessica Harper, the former head of fraud and security for digital banking at Lloyds Banking Group, with one count of fraud by abuse of position, contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006.

"This decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and a prosecution is in the public interest.

Mrs Harper is due to appear at Westminster Court on May 31.