A BLACKPOOL man has been jailed for three months after admitting claiming more than £19,000 in benefits which he was not entitled to.

Peter Phillips, 60, was jailed at Blackpool Magistrates Court last Wednesday (November 5) after pleading guilty to three charges of obtaining benefits by deception.

Phillips had received Income Support and Council Tax benefit at his home since 1996 on the basis that he was sick and incapable of work.

He also qualified for Incapacity Benefit from 1999 and Disability Living Allowance from 2000.

However, he failed to tell Blackpool Council or the Department for Work and Pensions about a series of changes to his circumstances.

On the death of his wife in September 1997, Phillips received a widower's pension of £336 per month and a capital sum of £95,000.

And, in May 2001, he began running a video-copying business, based in a converted room in the loft of his home.

Phillips never declared the changes and signed statements claiming to have no capital and no other income besides his benefits.

He was taken to court after a joint investigation lead by fraud investigators from Blackpool Borough Council, the Department for Work and Pensions, trading standards officers and the police.

Blackpool Council runs a benefit fraud hotline for anyone with information.

The number is 0800 328 6340 or write to the Investigations Team at Blackpool Borough Council, Westgate House, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool.

An online form can be found at the Benefit Fraud web page at www.blackpool.gov.uk.