Benefit fraudsters could face lie detector tests in a pilot scheme run by Lambeth Council.

From autumn, voice risk analysis technology will be used to tackle fraud.

It measures fluctuations in the human voice which indicates levels of stress and when stress is caused by an attempt to deceive.

The pilot is sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions as part of a national initiative to look at the effectiveness of the technology in cutting fraud.

Claimants contacting the council's call centre will be told they are being interviewed using the technology and will be asked 19 questions to test their responses. Benefits staff can then ask for further evidence to support any suspicious claims.

Councillor Jim Dickson, cabinet member for finance, said: "We are determined to protect the public's finances, cut fraud and root out benefit cheats.

"I am delighted Lambeth is piloting this new technology to speed up the claims of honest claimants and cause sleepless nights to benefit swindlers."

In August the council signed a three year contract with KPMG Forensic, the UK forensic arm of the global network of professional services firms.

It will work with Lambeth's in-house fraud team to deliver an improved approach to tackling fraud.