A Whitehaven woman who committed a £40,000 benefits fraud has been spared immediate prison.

Laura Jane Corkhill, 35, lodged bogus claims with HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Copeland Council over five years, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

She admitted three offences of having failed to notify each agency of a change in circumstances - namely that children were no longer part of her household.

Carlisle Crown Court heard received £68,618 in income support, child tax credit and housing benefit but a judge accepted that Corkhill, of Brakeside Gardens, had legitimately claimed around £28,000 of that amount.

After hearing that she is now turning her life around, Judge Nicholas Barker suspended a 13-month jail term for two years.

She must also complete unpaid work and rehabilitation.

But Judge Barker stressed: "There are genuine victims of these offences. It is not simply some victimless offence as some may consider it.

"This is, of course, a significant amount which has been lost to the public purse."