A fraudster claimed more than £18,000 in benefits despite having £100,000 in savings.

Paul Hill illegally claimed housing benefit and council tax benefit between January 2005 and August 2007 despite having tens of thousands of pounds in Premium Bonds.

Now he has been ordered to repay every penny of the £18,469 he claimed after Chichester District Council's benefit fraud team unearthed the scam.

Magistrates in Chichester sentenced Hill, from Fittleworth, near Pulborough, to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

They ordered him to do 250 hours of community work which must be completed in the next 12 months after he pleaded guilty to benefit fraud.

John Cherry, the council's deputy leader, said: "We take benefit fraud extremely seriously.

"The benefits system is available to help those in need not those who wish to abuse it.

"Those who apply for benefit must declare any savings. Once savings exceed £16,000 an applicant under pension age is not eligible for financial assistance.

"We hope that this case sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate benefit fraud and that it will discourage future applicants from withholding important information."

To report suspicions of benefit fraud in the Chichester area call the investigation team confidentially on 01243 534590.