FOUR people have been convicted of illegally claiming nearly £32,000 in benefits.

The four, all aged over 60, admitted wrongly claiming Housing and Council Tax Benefit from Derwentside District Council.

One man from Dipton failed to declare that he was receiving a Reduced Earnings Allowance. Chester-le-Street magistrates gave him a one-year conditional discharge and he was ordered to pay costs of £376.

At a separate hearing in Durham, a Catchgate woman admitted failing to declare a private pension, a Langley Park man pleaded guilty to failing to declare he received Industrial Injuries Benefit and an Ebchester woman admitted failing to declare a private pension and a bank account.

All three were given a one-year conditional discharge and each ordered to pay costs of £176.25.

The prosecutions were all brought by the district council's benefits fraud investigation team.

Coun Alex Watson, leader of the council, said: "The council is determined to carry on our fight to eradicate benefit fraud."

Coun Terry Richardson, executive member for corporate management, said: "Council budgets are facing an enormous amount of pressure to fund services. The money that is paid out in fraudulent claims could and should be used to provide essential services for the benefit of the people of Derwentside."

He urged people to shop fraudsters by calling the council's confidential hotline on (01207) 218694