AN ILKESTON lollipop lady claimed £4,382 council benefit after keeping quiet about her job, a Derby court heard yesterday.

Brownie Pack leader Beverley Seals, 46, put her £42 weekly earnings into a building society account, which she failed to declare.

Bridget Fearn, prosecuting on behalf of Erewash Borough Council, said Seals signed forms in 2005 and 2006, enabling her to claim benefit for council tax and housing.

The case was uncovered by a national fraud initiative which found she was being paid for her twice-daily crossing patrols outside a school.

Mother-of-three Seals, 46, of Muskham Avenue, Ilkeston was ordered to carry out 150 hours community work and pay £150 prosecution costs to the council.

She admitted two counts of making a false statement to gain benefits.

James Newton, mitigating, told Southern Derbyshire Magistrates that Seals had three dependent children and "had a considerable amount of debt."

The three magistrates were handed references. The case had been adjourned for three weeks to await probation reports.