A LANCASTER man who received disability benefits after claiming he could not walk was captured on video playing golf.

Henry Calvert was spotted at Lancaster Golf Club on several occasions - once playing up to 36 holes in a day during a competition.

The Department of Work and Pensions says that Calvert, of Gressingham Drive, falsely claimed more than £17,000 in benefits.

He appeared before Lancaster magistrates on Friday when he admitted failing to notify the department that his medical condition had changed.

The court heard how the 58-year-old was claiming disability living and mobility allowances and had said he was 'virtually unable to walk'.

But after a tip-off, the department carried out surveil-lance and filmed Calvert playing golf.

Mr John Batty, prosecuting, said: "It was understood that he played golf to such a standard that he had a single handicap. The club secretary says that only ten per cent of those who try golf can achieve that standard."

He told the court that Calvert was videoed on numerous occasions between December and February last year.

He was seen playing golf, carrying his golf clubs, practising his swing and going to the pro shop and clubhouse.

Mitigating, Mr Michael Willey, said Calvert had worked all his life until being struck down with rheumatoid arthritis.

He was at first hospitalised in Portsmouth in 1996, where he was an in-patient for eight months.

"He could not walk and his wife had to push him everywhere in a wheelchair. He moved to a convalescent home and for in excess of 12 months he was treated there, which shows the level to which the defendant was suffering," Mr Willey said.

The court heard that Calvert's health later improved 'slightly' and he used to go to Lancaster Golf Club, where he had been a member for 30 years, to play the odd game.

But Mr Willey said the defendant needed to take between eight and 12 painkillers to get him round the course.

"He is still ill and can only play with the use of painkillers. He has not gone through a magical transformation from being disabled to walking," he added.

"His failing is that, having improved, he did not think to go to the Department of Work and Pensions and tell them."

Chairman of the bench Peter Crowther told Calvert it was a 'serious offence' which involved public funds.

He adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared - Calvert will next appear before city magistrates on December 3.