A MUSSELBURGH woman is alleged to have embezzled thousands of pounds from a vulnerable client.

Nicola Willis, of Monktonhall Terrace, is said to have taken more than £66,000 from the woman while working as a support worker and carer for the Thistle Foundation.

Willis is also said to have induced an employee of Lloyds TSB to approve and grant a loan of £7,500 in the name of the woman.

The 40-year-old accused appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, where she denied the allegations against her.

She will return to the Capital court to face trial on January 16.

Willis is alleged to have embezzled £66,877.90 from the woman while she worked as a support worker and carer between January 1, 2010, and October 31, 2014.

She is also said to have induced a bank employee to grant a £7,500 loan after claiming the woman required the cash on March 4, 2014.