A man has told a court how he was planning to repay his frail neighbour thousands of pounds by going on a TV quiz show.

Carlos Machado said he had planned to compete on Deal or No Deal.

Machado, of Hatfield Road, Witham, is alleged to have stolen nearly £45,000 from Brian Farlow, who had lung and bone cancer, before suspicious bank staff called police.

But he told Chelmsford Crown Court the amount was £15,000 and it was always his intention to pay it back.

He denies four charges of fraud and one of theft.

Mr Farlow died two months after the matters came to light.

The trial continues.