SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin has been released without charge in connection with a nationwide fraud investigation.

The investigation was launched by Gloucester- ershire police into the alleged financial irregularities of Tewkesbury councillor Sean Connors.

About 40 police officers swooped on the home and offices of Mr Martin, 55, in March last year in connection with the investigation.

He was then arrested in September 2007 and bailed, but no further action is to be taken.

However, police are still investigating an alleged fraud.

Mr Martin, of Benfleet Road, Benfleet, attended Cheltenham Police station voluntarily yesterday to help officers with their inquiries.

Alexa Collicott, a spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police said: “Mr Ronald Martin – whose police bail had already been cancelled on the advice of CPS counsel – attended voluntarily for interview at Cheltenham Police Station in order to assist the police to finalise their enquiries.

“A full file of evidence will be submitted to the CPS Fraud Prosecution Service, for review and, owing to the nature of the allegations, onward submission for the authority of the Attorney General to prosecute if so deemed appropriate.”