Janis Gabriel, 49, husband John and their five sons and two daughters had a heated swimming pool, sauna and a four poster water bed, the court heard.

Their home in Padiham near Burnley, Lancs also had automatic garage doors, two cars and two scooters.

Mrs Gabriel, who is defending herself, denies possessing criminal property.

'Luxurious lifestyle'

She and the family received �2,000 a month in benefits, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Mrs Gabriel is accused of funding the family's lifestyle through the proceeds of criminal activity.

"I can't see where the luxurious lifestyle is," Mrs Gabriel told the court.

She said the swimming pool was a "glorified paddling pool" and the four poster water bed was because her husband had a "bad back".

Benefit money

A conservatory was DIY-built and the automatic garage door taken from a skip, she added.

Mrs Gabriel said her husband saved benefit money to pay for the items.

He received disability allowance as he was "overweight" and suffered from asthma, sleep apnoea, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The couple claimed income support and in 2001 got carers' allowance of �93 a week with back pay.

Back pay

They also claimed disability for their children, with back pay, receiving three �420 payments in January 2003 with the new benefit bumping up the family's income support payments.

The court was given a "guided tour" of the house by video taken by police when they raided the property in July and September of last year.

"Oh look, a chandelier," Paul O'Brien, prosecuting, pointed out as the video rolled.