A MUM has been handed a six-month suspended jail sentence after admitting claiming more than £20,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Alison Joseph, 43, of Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, also received a 12-month supervision order when she appeared at Preston Crown Court.

She had claimed income support on the basis that she was a single parent and too ill to work.

As a result she also received the maximum assistance towards her rent and council tax.

However, the court heard that she had failed to disclose that her partner had moved in with her and that he was in full-time employment.