A former estates manager is to appear in court on corruption charges in connection with an alleged £1m contracts scandal.

David Smart, former estates manager at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, faces three charges of corruption and three of conspiracy to commit corruption under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act.

This follows a police investigation dating back to 1995 into the running of the hospital's estates department.

Mr Smart, of Oldham Common, Bristol, is due to appear before Northavon magistrates in July along with four other men.

A Frenchay Healthcare trust spokesman said Mr Smart was initially suspended from his post, but has since resigned.