A MAN claiming housing and council tax benefits failed to declare he was working for Boots.

Graham Whittle, 31, of Wensley Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty before the town's magistrates to failing to notify a change of circumstances, as required by Social Security regulations.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 costs.

The court heard that benefit fraud investigators initially acted on a tip-off that Whittle had been working as a DJ.

But when he was interviewed, he said that was not the case but admitted to working for the high street store.

He told investigators he had "bills coming out of his ears".

Liz Parker, defending, said Whittle had tried to establish himself as a DJ, but had only got two gigs in 12 months and had been paid virtually nothing for his efforts.

"He was very honest when interviewed and confessed that he had worked at Boots and not declared it," said Mrs Parker.