A benefits cheat who was caught at the pub and on a supermarket booze run while claiming limited mobility has been sentenced.

Michael Johnson, 69, stole £32,368.70 in Personal Independence Payments - benefits paid to the disabled who struggle with everyday tasks or getting around - but was caught as part of a crackdown on fraudsters by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Johnson appeared at Preston Crown Court, where it was heard while claiming PIP he had been caught on camera going to the supermarket unaided and loading his car with crates of beer.

He was also seen walking to his local working men's club in Lytham St Annes, and caught carrying boxes of booze to his car and furniture into his property.

He was handed four months in prison, suspended for a year, and the DWP is seeking to recover the funds from him.

It comes as part of the DWP's crackdown on benefit cheats, which last year saved the taxpayer £1.1 billion.

Along with wider benefits checks and controls, this saved £18bn last year and saw fraud and error decrease by 10 per cent.

The government wants to go further and save £1.3bn through counter-fraud and error in 2023/24.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride, said: “Fairness is at the heart of our welfare system.

"If you are disabled and in need of a helping hand, we will be there for you. But we will not tolerate those who try to cheat the taxpayer.

“Cases like this are proof our crack down on benefit fraud is working – thanks to our expert teams we plan to save the taxpayer £1.3bn this year and make sure our help goes to those who need it most.”