A 70-year-old woman has been ordered to pay back money she dishonestly claimed over an eight-year period.

Vivienne Day, of Radford Court, Billericay, falsely claimed £41,089.76 in housing benefit, council tax, disability living allowance and pension credit.

She failed to declare she was living in Spain, where she owned a property, and that she had savings of about £127,000.

Day pleaded guilty to three charges of dishonestly making a false statement or representation and failing to notify a change in circumstances.

She was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a six-month supervision order.

Day's bank accounts have been made subject to restraint under the Proceeds of Crime Act, meaning a confiscation order has been granted.

A court order means money should be paid directly from her account to Basildon Council within three months.

If the payments are not made, Day will be sent to prison for nine months in default of payment.

She was also ordered to pay £4,098 in court costs.

Stuart Sullivan, borough councillor responsible for resources, said: "This is a remarkable case both in the scale of fraud and the fact it went on for eight years.

"Basildon Council takes these cases very seriously and, as this case highlights, we will vigorously pursue those who commit these crimes and seek a full refund of money claimed as well as court costs.

"I hope the severity of the sentence will act as a deterrent to others."