A COUNCIL'S fraud team will be used as a shining example to others after it recovered more than £84,000 in the last financial year.

The Government's Benefit Fraud Inspectorate will meet Gravesham Council's fraud team on June 19 for a two-week investigation, after it made improvements in catching fraudsters.

The Inspectorate wants to use the council's team as an example to show others how to catch more benefits cheats and ensure its improvements are sustainable.

Between October and December last year the council's fraud team carried out 123 investigations.

The council believes it has made progress after installing new computer systems which can be matched against other departments' records.

Another 260 cases are currently being investigated.

Council leader Councillor John Burden said: "I'm delighted our improvement has been noticed.

"It is important we investigate and detect fraud so the public can be assured we are stamping out criminal activity."

To report benefit fraud, call the council on 01474 337231.