Despite having £24,000 savings in the bank, a 55-year-old man claimed more than £1,600 in Job Seekers Allowance, magistrates have been told.

Graham Chappell of Bar Grange Avenue, Bradford, who admitted making a false representation when applying for benefit, was ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid community work over the next 12 months.

Bingley court heard Chappell, who had a low standard of literacy, drew the benefit between March and September 2005.

He had allowed his friend to fill in the application form on his behalf.

On the form, Chappell indicated he had no capital but investigations by the Works and Pensions department, found he had four accounts containing £24,000.

With that amount, he would not have been entitled to job seeker's allowance, but he went on to draw money over a 29 week period.

Adam Walker, for Chappell, said: "He should have asked his friend if there was anything on the form about bank accounts, but he chose to shut his eyes to the obvious."