A 46-year-old Kidderminster man has been fined £500 after falsely claiming more than £600 in benefits.

Steven Ridgway, of Windermere House, in the Horsefair area, pleaded guilty at the town's magistrates' court of failing to tell the authorities that he had started working.

The court heard Ridgway claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit while working. As a result, between August and November, 2004, he was overpaid £238 in income support and £371 in housing and council tax benefit.

The case followed an investigation by Wyre Forest District Council and the Department of Work and Pensions. Magistrates ordered Ridgway to pay £100 costs.

The district council has a confidential benefit fraud hotline for reports of suspected false claims - 01562 732658.