An Army major general who dishonestly claimed £48,000 for his children's boarding school fees has been jailed.

Nick Welch, 57, claimed to live in London rather than Dorset, near their schools.

Welch was convicted of fraud by a panel of senior officers after a four-week trial at Bulford Military Court and handed a 21-month sentence.

Judge Advocate Gen Alan Large also sentenced Welch to retrospective dismissal from the Army, meaning he can no longer benefit from his rank of retired major general.

Welch, who left the military in 2018, has been ordered to pay back the fraudulently claimed cash.

The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) allows children to remain at the same schools to enable their serving parent to be accompanied by their spouse as they are posted to different locations.

However, it cannot be claimed if a soldier's spouse is away from the military home for more than 90 days per year, the trial heard.

The prosecution said Welch applied for the allowance on the basis both he and his wife would not be living close to the children.

But it said his wife Charlotte actually spent most of her time at a cottage in Blandford Forum, Dorset, close to the £37,000-a-year Clayesmore School and the £22,500-a-year Hanford School.

An investigation was launched after a neighbour told authorities about the family's absence from London.

Welch joined the Army in 1984 and when he retired he held the position of the assistant chief of general staff at Ministry of Defence (MoD) headquarters in London.

He had been awarded medals for his service in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and for long service with good conduct.

During the trial, Welch denied being dishonest and said his wife was living with him for the majority of the time.

Welch will spend half his sentence in prison before being released on licence.