A VETERANS charity founder has been cleared of wrongdoing by police after an 18-month investigation into fraud allegations.

Cheshire Police have confirmed that it will not be taking action against Mark Smith, who set up Blue Apple Heroes in 2012, following his earlier arrest on suspicion of theft.

The probe concerned military memorabilia that had been donated to go on display in the charity's coffee shop on Buttermarket Street in the town centre.

These items could not be returned when Blue Apple Heroes was forced to close due to financial problems, as the donors had not left their contact details.

This lengthy investigation came after the stresses of running the charity had become so great that 58-year-old Mr Smith, from Great Sankey, even went missing from home in November 2017 – later being found safe and well in Scotland.

The armed forces veteran, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said: "For about two years, I had been trying to get someone to take over the charity because it was starting to have a reverse effect on my mental health.

"We had rent to pay for the charity, and it started to cripple us.

"I went missing and I was seriously considering taking my own life.

"Then the people who made these allegations told the lies they did, and people started believing them.

"But the majority of people supported us and knew it wasn't true.

"It was upsetting, because the people who brought these accusations were people who we'd helped in the past.

"For whatever reason, they seemed to have an axe to grind.

Efforts to trace Mr Smith following his disappearance will be featured in BBC documentary series Reported Missing later this year.

He is now looking forward to moving on with his life after the close of the investigation, and is able to look back with pride on the charity's achievements.

Mr Smith added: "It wasn't a good time.

"The police turned out in force at my house and they took so many items and personal possessions – they took my computer, my cameras and everything I use on a daily basis as coping strategies for my trauma.

"It was a killer, it caused me quite a bit of stress.

"But I'm moving on, it's just good to have our lives back.

"We helped more than 300 veterans in that five years, and we probably saved half a dozen lives.

"Even now, I still have veterans coming to see me at home – I have one who comes to see me every week for support.

"Everyone loved the coffee shop, and the charity was very important – it's a massive loss to the town."

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A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 58-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of theft has now been released without further action."