A benefit cheat who claimed more than £7,500 of taxpayers' money has been fitted with an electronic tag and a two month curfew order.

Marie Dewhurst, 34, of Clarence Street, Leyland, fraudulently claimed £7,635 from South Ribble Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

She was ordered by magistrates in Preston on Friday not to leave her home between 8pm and 8am.

The order follows a joint fraud investigation between the DWP and the council which found she was claiming housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support but had not notified the two agencies that she was living with a partner.

Over 13 months she claimed £3,229 in handouts from the DWP and £4,406 in council benefits.

She was ordered to repay the full amount and an additional £75 court costs.

The woman is the latest in a number of people to be named and shamed by South Ribble Borough Council for committing benefit fraud.

Councillor Mark Alcock, portfolio holder for corporate and support services, said: "This woman failed to declare a change in her circumstances and ended up in court. If your circumstances change, it's vital that you contact the council and let us know so you don't end up in the same position.

"We have an excellent team of specialist investigators who are constantly working on cases to prosecute benefit cheats. If you are claiming housing or council tax benefits illegally, you could be next."