The founder of international aid charity ShelterBox has appeared in court accused of defrauding the organisation.

Tom Henderson, 63, from Helston, is charged with carrying out a five year fraud on the disaster relief charity between 2007 and 2012.

He also faces allegations of trying to steal 1,000 tents from the non-profit organisation.

Henderson founded the Helston-based charity in 2000 and was appointed OBE in 2010 for his work.

His son John Henderson, aged 34 from Hayle, and Darren Gervis, aged 41 of Beaminster in Dorset, are also accused of taking part in the fraud. The trio appeared at City of London Magistrates Court  for a preliminary hearing.

All three are accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position.

Tom Henderson also faces a charge of attempted theft.

John Henderson is charged with theft and firearms offences.

They have not yet entered any pleas to the charges against them.

Each defendant spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing.

Magistrate Alison Gowman sent the case to the Old Bailey.

Gervis, of Mosterton, Beaminster, Dorset, is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position between March 2010 and April 2012.

Tom Henderson, of Barbican Way, Helston, faces two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position and one of fraud by abuse of position between July 2007 and July 2012 and a charge of attempted theft in August 2008.

John Henderson, of Copper Hill, Hayle, Cornwall, is charged with theft of property, possession of a shotgun without a firearms licence, possession of a firearm and two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position.

They were all released on bail ahead of a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on September 22.