Patricia Lindsay claimed £4,018.33 in Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for periods between 2004 and 2007.

During this time, Lindsay worked for five different employers in part time, low paid cleaning jobs, but failed to disclose this.

At High Peak Magistrates' Court last Friday, Lindsay, 49, of Redfern Close, pleaded guilty to four charges of benefit fraud.

She was sentenced on Wednesday to a Community Order, with a six-month period of supervision, and a two-month curfew between the hours of 8pm and 7am.

The court heard Lindsay had found herself in financial difficulties while coping on a limited income.

Defending herself, she said: "I apologise because I know I shouldn't have done it. I will accept any punishment laid down by the court."

The offences came to light when council officers, together with investigators from the Department of Works and Pensions, discovered Lindsay had been working.