A COUNCIL is calling on people in east Durham to help it crackdown on housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Easington District Council is encouraging residents to report people receiving benefit and working on the side.

A council spokeswoman said: "Government statistics state that ten per cent of all benefits claims made to local authorities are fraudulent.

"The district of Easington pays out £2.76m every year to people who are not entitled to benefits."

The council is urging people to call 0191-527 0501, extensions 2421 or 2362