A 66-YEAR-OLD man appeared before Burnley magistrates accused of handling a stolen £42,000 excavator.

Patrick Orr is alleged to have handled the vehicle, taken from Scotts Plant Hire Ltd, on the day it was stolen, last November 29.

Orr, of Glendale, Clifton, near Swinton, Manchester, had his case referred to the crown court, and was bailed until May 20.