Benefit cheats across the district are being caught in higher numbers than ever before, according to new council figures.

More than £450,000 in fraudulent claims were tracked down last year by a specially trained council team – 65 per cent up on the previous year.

The figure was recovered from 61 individuals, with the biggest single case involving a woman from Kirkintilloch who cheated the system out of nearly £85,000.

Council leader Rhondda Geekie said: "The council will continue to use all available powers to catch those people in East Dunbartonshire who are claiming benefits they are not entitled to.

"We will do everything we can to recover this money and residents should know that a court appearance for offenders is becoming increasingly likely."

East Dunbartonshire Council has asked members of the public to help in the fight against benefit fraud.

A spokesperson said: "If you have information about someone who is a benefit cheat you can contact the benefit fraud hotline on 0800 328 6340. The call is free, anonymous and won't show up on a phone bill."