A GRANNY claimed thousands of pounds in benefits - despite having £172,000 stashed in a bank.

Irish traveller Gail Doran, 53, could be stripped of cash, property and vehicles after pleading guilty to falsely claiming benefits for five years.

The grandmother-of-ten from Sadlers Park, near Sadlers Farm roundabout, now faces a confiscation hearing next month when the Department for Work and Pensions hopes to claw back assets.

Doran removed around £100,000 from the account during the investigation, according to Basildon Council.

The council launched a joint probe with the department in August 2005, after it became apparrent she was paying tax on the interest of the huge savings.

Chris Johnson, council spokesman, said: "Around £100,000 was withdrawn after enquires began. It is unclear where this money went."

Doran, who claimed £14,437 income support and £2,496 council tax benefit for her and her husband Patrick from May 2001, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, at Basildon Crown Court.

Natalie Jones, department spokesman said: "The department is able to access other Government databases and cross reference information. It was able to identify she was paying tax on invested money while claiming benefits."

The family arrived in Basildon in 2002 when they illegally developed the three-plot site for siblings and their children near Sadlers Farm roundabout over a weekend.

The council ordered them off before a three-year legal battle, ending in the High Court, which allowed them to stay.

During one planning inquiry, council officers suggested they move to the legal site at the former Heron Service Station, off the A127 at Wickford, which was on the market for £150,000, but the family argued they could not afford to do so.

Mrs Jones added: "The confiscation hearing will look at all assets owned by the defendant, including money, property or vehicles. The amount confiscated could ultimately be more than the figure defrauded. This hearing will also look at costs she may have to pay for the investigation."

In 2004, the council launched court action against her relatives James and Pauline Doran, of the same site, for non-payment of council tax. Proceedings were later withdrawn.

A relative said Doran was away from the site and unavailable for comment.