A former supply teacher who claimed benefits she was not entitled to has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Christine Page, aged 54, had been working at the Penally VC School until Pembrokeshire County Council made her redundant.

But she did not declare her pay off cheque of £5,249 and continued to claim housing benefit and council tax relief.

Page, of Quarry Cottage, Tenby, had denied failing to notify the council that her circumstances had changed and receiving £6,860 in benefits to which she had not been entitled.

She was found guilty after a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that, as well as employing Page, the authority also acted as a revenue protection arm of the Department for Work and Pensions.

After leaving Penally VC School, Page went on to work at the Five Arches pub in Tenby and then the Kiln Park holiday complex, but continued to claim benefits without declaring her earnings.

Page accepted that she should have written to the council telling them about her employment. But, she said, she had contacted them four times, either in person or by telephone, and so had not acted dishonestly.

Bob Watkins, prosecuting, said there was no record of Page having contacted the authority and she was obliged to do so in writing.