A Lottery millionaire is receiving thousands of pounds in housing benefit by charging her two unemployed children rent.

Freda Cowley bought her son and daughter a house each after scooping the jackpot.

The 46-year-old mother of five charges them both rent and because they are unemployed, they claim housing benefit from their local council - meaning the taxpayer foots the bill.

An unrepentant Mrs Cowley, from North Tyneside, said she was perfectly within her rights to collect more than £8,000 a year in housing benefit.

"Where are people's rights these days? Just because I won a share of the Lottery. It's jealous people, thats what it is," she said.

"I do get the housing benefit paid to me, but I charge them the minimum and pay for any repairs myself.

"Lots of people buy property and rent it out, so I'm not doing anything wrong."

Mrs Cowley bought her son and daughter a house each in Wallsend. They both receive housing benefit because they do not have jobs and they also receive income support.

Landlords registered with North Tyneside Council can receive about 80 to 120 a week in rent, meaning Mrs Cowley can claim more than £8,000 a year in housing benefit.

A spokesman for North Tyneside Council said: "Although this may appear to be an unusual case, it has been thoroughly investigated and found to be within national regulations."

The grandmother-of-six hit the headlines almost two years ago when she won £1.2 million on the Lottery.