Colin White, who sold fast food from Incredible Edibles at Bloomfield Road, was caught after an undercover video, filmed by the Department of Work and Pensions, exposed him as a cheat.

The 49-year-old father-of-three claimed benefits totalling almost £9,000 while working at the fast food van and his crazy golf course at Starr Gate in South Shore.

Yesterday, magistrates in Blackpool ordered White to do 133 hours unpaid work for the community as well as paying £75 court costs.

White, of Sycamore Avenue, in South Shore, had already pleaded guilty to knowingly failing to notify a change of circumstances at a hearing last month.

David Edwards, prosecuting, said White was filmed carrying burger supplies from his house to his car, walking distances more than 10 yards, driving his pick-up truck and working at his crazy golf course on the seafront.

He illegally claimed £8,800 in Disabled Living Allowance between June 2004 and July last year.

Mr Edwards added: "He was seen bending, lifting and carrying and when interviewed by investigators he admitted his physical ability had improved."

After the hearing, Department of Work and Pensions fraud investigations manager Peter Hamer said: "White's original claim which dates back to 1996 was legitimate.

"He had an accident and was then only able to walk using two sticks.

"However, our fraud hotline was contacted, indicating that White was working and engaging in physical activity. The public get angry with cheats who take money which could be used for the most vulnerable members of society."

The court was told how White – whose wife is a nursing assistant – had been injured when he was knocked down by a car and was given the higher rate of Disabled Living Allowance when he said he needed help with his personal care.

He had started work at the age of 12 in Manchester in a family entertainment business and moved to Blackpool to better himself. White then suffered the car accident and as a result received compensation of £8,000, which he sunk into the fast food and golf course businesses.

Allan Cobain, defending, told an earlier hearing: "At the beginning he was disabled and became obese.

"Later he had a gastric band operation and lost five stones.

"He did not know he had to go back and tell the authorities things had changed."

Magistrates were told White was trying to remortgage his house to repay the money.

- His day got worse when he was told the council was going to end his lease at his crazy golf course business and use the land to build part of its £20m tramshed development.