A funeral director who claimed he could barely climb stairs was spotted striding out ahead of corteges passing through the streets.

Wayne Brindley began claiming disability benefit after breaking his leg badly in 2000.

But a court heard he failed to tell benefit bosses his condition had improved so much that he could lead funeral processions.

Brindley, of Market Street, in Mottram, Tameside, set up a funeral service last year after being made redundant by the Co-op four years earlier. Brindley, 39, led the procession at the funeral of David Askew – a Hattersley man with learning difficulties who died in March after confronting youths outside his home.

Brindley laid on the service for free after learning of the circumstances.

Huw Edwards, prosecuting on behalf the Department for Work and Pensions, said: "We received information he was running a funeral parlour.

"The defendant was seen in the reception of the property, walking and standing, and part of his job in running the parlour involves walking in front of the hearse."

Mr Edwards said the overpayment was £6,701 between September 2007 and September last year and added that the amount would be recovered.

Brindley admitted dishonestly failing to give prompt notification of a change in his circumstances to the department. Defending, Chelsea Thomas said after fracturing his right leg in an accident in 2000 Brindley needed numerous operations – the last in 2003.

"This was not a fraudulent claim at the outset," she said.

Magistrates fined Brindley £360, plus a £15 victims surcharge, and ordered him to pay £250 costs.