A 41-YEAR-OLD woman accused of attempting to defraud the council through a fake personal injury claim has appeared before magistrates.

Lois Foster, of Park Avenue, Sharples, pleaded not guilty at Bolton Magistrates' Court yesterday to accusations that she attempted to obtain several hundred pounds by deception.

It is alleged that she tried to claim compensation for a broken arm sustained in a street scuffle by making out the injury was caused by tripping over a grid. Foster denies this.

The case has been adjourned until March 24 for a pre-trial review.