A PART-time taxi driver claimed more than £3,000 in benefits he wasn't entitled to, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how father-of-four Ajmal Hussain, 46, was getting housing and council tax benefits, but didn't declare he was receiving working families' tax credit.

He maintained he could not understand the forms because of difficulties with English and got others to help fill them in.

Hussain, of Daneshouse Road, Burnley, admitted four allegations of failing to notify a change of circumstances as required by Social Security, on or about September 16, 2002.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false representation or statement to obtain benefit or payment on February 6 last year.

The bench, who said the defendant had shown remorse and accepted full responsibility, gave him 100 hours' community punishment and ordered he pay £175 costs.

Ishtiaq Hussain, prosecuting for Burnley Borough Council, told the court Hussain was overpaid £3, 174. He had been paying back £35 a week.

Tarick Sadiq, defending, said Hussain had accepted full responsibility for the offences and had pleaded guilty.

When the forms for benefits were filled in the defendant had trouble speaking, reading and understanding English.

The forms had a section which stated help could be offered in understanding them but it was only in small print.