A POST office manager who cashed orders from a customer's pension book has been given 100 hours' community service and ordered to pay £250 costs.

Arvind Ghai, was given a two-month prison sentence at Croydon Magistrates' Court but it was overturned on appeal at Croydon Crown Court on Monday.

The former sub-postmistress cashed four pension orders worth £717 at the Elmers End post office before it was discovered by auditors.

The 31-year-old, of Eldred Drive, Orpington, said she took the money to pay bills.

Judge Stephen Waller said there had been a clear breach of trust and she must have known the courts would take a serious view of it.

But he allowed the appeal because of her good character, her admission of guilt and the repayment of all the money.