A FORMER Queenborough Town councillor has admitted dishonestly claiming benefits.

Fred Squire, 62, of River View, Rushenden, was due to face trial for the offence, but changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Sittingbourne magistrates.

He was charged with dishonest representation and the magistrates heard he had failed to notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he was working, which he knew would affect his entitlement to pension credits.

Squire was given a conditional discharge for 24 months and ordered to pay costs of £100 to the DWP.