SHOP worker Lisa Moorhouse betrayed her bosses' trust to steal from them, a court was told.

Bury court heard how the former jewellery shop manager had taken a part-time job at W H Smith's in the town after the birth of her child last year.

She helped herself to cash from the till. By the time she was caught nearly £200 had disappeared.

Marion Nolan, prosecuting, said that after discrepancies were noticed in the takings the company launched a surveillance operation on Moorhouse, of Horne Street, Bury.

She was seen to drop a £20 note into her lap and transfer it to the belt of her trousers. Moorhouse, 32, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and asked for two other matters to be taken into consideration.

In her defence, it was said the theft had been opportunistic and she was having cash difficulties at the time.

Moorhouse was given 40 hours community service and ordered to pay £190 compensation with £60 costs.