A PENSIONER from Chorley has been given a suspended prison sentence after obtaining more than £18,000 in extra benefits.

William Ball, 67, of Lyons Lane, Chorley, claimed the cash in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Preston Crown Court heard on Friday, July 9, how Ball failed to inform the Department for work and Pensions (DWP) and Chorley Borough Council that he was in full-time employment in November 1998 and continued to claim benefits as unemployed until he retired aged 65.

He then made a valid housing and council tax benefit claim to the council as a pensioner receiving state retirement pension, but again obtained full-time employment in December 2002 and again failed to report this extra income to the council.

A spokesman for Chorley Borough Council said: "The fraud came to light when Mr Ball withdrew his benefit claim following several attempts to carry out a routine visit.

"Council staff became suspicious and, through partnership working with government departments, including the Inland Revenue, details of Mr Ball's true income were easily obtained. This prosecution is another example of the strong relationship and team-working philosophy that now exists between the council and DWP investigators who are committed to stamping out fraud in the comunity."

Ball was given an 18 month prison sentence suspended for two years and made subject of a supervision order.

The council has recently signed up to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline which provides a free service for people to report suspected cheats.

The number 0800 328 6340 is a dedicated line and employs trained operators to allow people to report fraud in confidence and for free. All information is then passed on to the council's specially trained investigators.