Glamour model Jordan has plunged the trial of her exnanny from Brighton into chaos when she failed to appear in court as a witness.

Jordan, real name Katie Price, was due to give evidence at Lewes Crown Court on the first day of a five-day trial of Joanne Hillman, who is charged with falsely claiming benefits.

Prosecutors resorted to gleaning information from a tabloid newspaper when the model did not arrive and frantic attempts to get in touch with her failed.

Daniel Jameson, for the Crown, referred to The Sun in court, saying it appeared Jordan's husband, singer Peter Andre, had been taken into hospital over the weekend.

Andre was said to be suffering from viral meningitis and being cared for at East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, where the model was said to be at his bedside.

During a brief adjournment, more calls were made to the couple's agent, to the hospital and even to Jordan's brother.

Prosecutors finally managed to get in touch with Jordan's agent, who said she would not be able to come to court this week. The trial was adjourned until October 8, which was the earliest available date.

Hillman, 33, of Cowley Drive, Woodingdean, Brighton, is accused of failing to tell the Department for Work and Pensions and Brighton and Hove City Council promptly that she was working, which "she knew would affect her entitlements"

to income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. She denies the charges and is on unconditional bail.