TWO women who ran ran one of the country's largest youth football leagues have pleaded guilty to fraud.

The North Wiltshire and District Minor League runs organised football for seven to 18-year-olds, with 360 teams - including Stratton Youth, South Cerney and Cirencester Town, competing across 40 divisions.

Treasurer Karen Prictor and secretary Margaret Rivers, both from Swindon, admitted defrauding the league over five years.

Prosecutors say the pair conned the league out of about £200,000 but the defence claim the figure is £60,000.

Cliff Thrussell, chairman of Stratton Youth FC and coach of the under 18s, said: "I've not been following the details of this case, I don't know the two women involved and I don't judge unless I've got all of the facts.

"But what I do know is that they're volunteers so I'd have expected them to be totally honest. The fact they've pleaded guilty disappoints me because the money they've taken was raised by volunteers, or raised in subs from the players, or their parents and would have been given in good faith."

The fraud took place between November 2009 and July 2013.

Prictor, of Beverly, Toothill, Swindon, also admitted forging false bank statements and auditors' reports.

The pair appeared in the dock at Swindon Crown Court along with their husbands who were both accused of possessing criminal property.

Andrew Rivers, of Ramleaze Drive, Swindon, admitted the charge while Kevin Prictor pleaded not guilty.

Mr Prictor will stand trial at a later date while the other three await sentencing.