A woman has been fined more than £400 after she was caught picking mushrooms in Epping Forest.

Sabina Prus, of Mount Pleasant Road, Tottenham, was found guilty of breaching forest bylaws on October 5 last year.

Prus, who chose not to attend the hearing, was fined £100, ordered to pay £300 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Prus was caught by a Forest Ranger who noticed her trying to stash her harvest in a bag, despite there being notices in the car park to stop people from mushroom picking.