Jim Speechley denies misconduct in public office by using his position to influence the route of the proposed Crowland bypass.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday, he denied receiving a letter from council officials which advised him to declare his interest.

He said he was believed there was no need to do so.

Mr Speechley, 67, from Crowland, was asked about his childhood in the village and his beginnings as a farmer and landowner.

He also told the jury how he acquired a field near the town which became the centre of the allegations against him.

He said he had marked a map with a preferred bypass route running past the field, but said he was quite open about his ownership of it.