A FORMER school teacher has been convicted of cheating the taxpayer out of almost £30,000 in disability benefits - after he was caught on film morris dancing.

Allan Baldwin, who taught at Annan Academy in Dumfries and Galloway and now lives in Lockerbie, said that he could barely walk and claimed the highest rate of disability living allowance over a six-year period.

However, the 67-year-old pensioner was caught out when he was recorded on film taking part in an energetic performance of the traditional English dance, while wielding handkerchiefs and even performing two twirls.

Although Baldwin's primary role in the Cumbria-based Solway Morris Group was as a musician, the investigation also established that various events the club took part in would have involved him walking for several miles.

He falsely claimed £28,000 in disability benefits between 2008 and 2013 and was given a nine month suspended jail sentence at Preston Crown Court in Lancashire this afternoon, with the prison term likely to be activated if he commits any further offences in the next year and a half.

Baldwin, who will also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and must pay back the cash he falsely obtained, had pleaded guilty last month after being confronted with the damning clip.

Watch the video obtained by Department of Work and Pensions of Allan Baldwin who is in the white shirt with long hair.