A mother-of-eight has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of fraudulently receiving more than £350,000 in benefits and tax credits by claiming some of her children had disabilities and conditions.

A judge said Amanda Webber, 43 from Sussex, who was responsible for one of the biggest single benefit fraud overpayments ever recorded, had taken advantage of the benefits system.

She fooled authorities by making claims on the basis that five of her eight children suffered various disabilities and conditions which affected their care and mobility needs, a five-week trial at Brighton Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors said that despite their reputed health problems, the children led active lives, taking part in PE classes and activities including music, drama and dance without difficulties - and some auditioned for ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

Some also attended fee-paying schools and performed in professional productions on television and on stage, including in Les Miserables, The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot, jurors heard.

Yesterday, Webber was found guilty of 23 out of 24 charges, including fraud, obtaining a money transfer by deception and obtaining property by deception.

She was cleared of one count of making a false representation.