Cover-up caught on camera.

A Post Office worker was caught on CCTV trying to hide a cash shortfall, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

David Towers, 25, of Dowling Avenue, Whitley Bay, worked at the town's Park Avenue office when auditors arrived in February.

He had believed the shortfall was due to a clerical error, but tried to hide it, the court heard. His cover-up was spotted when his till had pounds 500 more than it should and the safe was pounds 2,000 down.

Towers, who was dismissed, admitted false accounting and was ordered to do 120 hours' community punishment and pay pounds 800 costs.