Her unusual weekend job was exposed when a teacher at her school in South Shields, near Newcastle, found condoms, lubricant and details of the agency she worked for in her school bag.

Police officers who searched her home found more than 8,000 pounds stashed in the attic in November last year. The girl, who cannot be named because she is a minor, is thought to have netted around 1,700 pounds every weekend.

Details of the case emerged during a hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Feb 13 to decide what should happen to the cash.

Asa Anderson, representing Northumbria Police, told the hearing: 'The money was seized after police received a phone call from a school where a teacher found a pupil's bag. The bag was found containing certain items.'

The court decided the cash should be forfeited to the authorities.

Police said a man aged 44 and a woman aged 46 were arrested on suspicion of inciting child prostitution, but later released facing no further action. The schoolgirl herself is not thought to be facing any charges. -- AFP