AN engineer from Padiham recovering from illness wanted to try his hand at a new career but still claimed benefits, magistrates heard.

James Michael Porter, 49, has emphysema but had always been in employment, the Reedley court was told.

He secured a job with IAC Plastics in Dunnockshaw, near Burnley, in January 2010, but continued to claim employment support allowance and council tax and housing benefits for around three months, totalling just over £2,300.

John Nuttall said Porter, who had no previous convictions, had always been in work and did not want to rely on benefits, but he was unsure whether he would cope with the demands of the new job.

He accepted he had not cancelled his existing claims.

Porter, of Victoria Road, admitted three offences of making a false statement to obtain benefits, was placed on a 12-week curfew.