Oxford City Council last night said the amount of money Olive McIntosh-Stedman is alleged to have falsely claimed in council tax benefit was £3,305.96.

As reported in Wednesday's Oxford Mail, the Cowley and Littlemore county councillor, has been charged with two counts of making false claims dating back to 2002.

Ms McIntosh-Stedman, 64, of Williamson Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, has been an Oxfordshire county councillor for Cowley and Littlemore since 1997. She denies all the charges and will appear before Oxford Crown Court for trial next month.

Ms McIntosh-Stedman, who is a registered nurse with a diploma in women's studies and a degree in publishing, said there had been a "great misunderstanding" that would be resolved when the matter was heard before a judge and jury.

Oxford City Council, which is bringing the prosecution, declined to comment on the case.

Ms McIntosh-Stedman is well-known in the community and is a governor of Peers Technology College. She has quit the Labour group and is now sitting as an independent.

County council Labour group leader Liz Brighouse said her resignation "would not weaken the group in any way".