A SCHOOL dinner lady claimed more than £20,000 in housing and council tax benefits despite inheriting a house, a court heard.

Eunice Ratcliffe also held numerous bank accounts which she failed to tell the authorities about.

The 57-year-old, of Forfar St, Bolton, has now been suspended from work after appearing at Bolton Crown Court to face charges in connection with fraudulent claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit. The court heard Ratcliffe submitted claims for housing and council tax benefit prior to 2000 but failed to declare she started work as a parttime school meals supervisory assistant for Bolton Council in 2000.

She also failed to declare numerous bank accounts and undeclared property that she inherited.

The overpayment was £17,335.89 in housing benefit and £4,389.37 in council tax benefit, a total of £21,725.26.

Ratcliffe pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and three months curfew from 8pm until 7am.

The court also imposed a New Direction Activity Requirement.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that she has been suspended pending an internal hearing.