A ST ANNES woman who claimed benefits while living with a partner who was working has been given a 140-hour community punishment order.

Catherine Coupe, 61, had failed to tell Fylde Borough Council she was living with a partner who was employed full time while claiming housing and council tax benefits.

Coupe, 61, was given credit for her early guilty plea by Blackpool Magistrates, but was ordered to repay £6,441.76 in overpaid claims.

Fylde Council has claimed the conviction as another success in its battle to prevent benefit fraud.

Officers claim that up to £1 million of its annual £11 million in benefits payments may be claimed illegally.

The council's chief executive, Ken Lee, said: "We have a robust anti-fraud strategy which embraces the latest investigative techniques and intelligence led activities.

"We work very closely with other agencies, including the police, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Inland Revenue, and other local authorities to ensure that those people who choose to commit benefit fraud, are tracked and prosecuted."

He added: "We are determined to combat benefit fraud, deter potential fraudsters and encourage members of the public to raise their concerns about suspect claims.

"Claiming benefit fraudulently is costing several millions of pounds nationally - money which should be available for those who really need it."

Anyone who thinks they may know a person who is claiming fraudulently in the Borough of Fylde can call the council's free confidential hotline on 0800 328 28122.