A woman who celebrated her 40th birthday earlier this week has admitted a £15,000 benefit fraud and been bailed pending the preparation of background reports.

Andrea East, of Whitehaven Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly failing to report a change of circumstances involving council tax, housing benefit and income support when she appeared at Preston crown court.

Judge Anthony Russell QC told East: "You have pleaded guilty to serious offences of defrauding the benefit authorities."

East, of previous good character was granted bail and will return for sentence on February 8 next year.