A thief stole more than £11,000 while working at a Cumbrian tourist attraction.

Scott Lister, 29, pocketed the cash during shifts on the tills at Maryport's Lake District Coast Aquarium over almost three-and-a-half years.

Lister, of Flimby Brow, Flimby, created fictitious refunds as he made more than 360 criminal transactions before his theft was detected.

But having stolen £11,097 from owner Mark Vollers, Lister has now been ordered to pay back every penny of his ill-gotten gains.

That order was part of the sentence he was handed at Carlisle Crown Court, having admitted a theft that happened during 2008 and 2011.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said it was during the second of Lister's two employment spells at the aquarium that he committed his crime.

An investigation was launched after suspicions were raised.

This revealed that Lister initially stole "a few pounds" at a time before the transaction amounts jumped to between £80 and £100.

"It appeared that the level of stealing from the tills increased over time as Mr Lister became more adventurous in what he took from the business," said Mr Rogerson.

At around the same time, Pamela Gradon - a manager at the aquarium - was also carrying out a theft but on a much larger scale.

She later received a 32-month jail term for the theft of £117,000.

Mr Rogerson said: "It is not the Crown's case that this was a joint enterprise between Mr Lister and Mrs Gradon. There is no evidence to support that.

"It appears to be the most unhappiest of coincidences that Mr Vollers was employing two people who were stealing from him at the same time."

In a statement about Lister's theft, Mr Vollers expressed "disappointment" at the breach of trust.

While profits were affected, the viability of the business was not, the court heard.

Lister, a man of previous good character, was represented by lawyer Marion Weir.

She told Judge Peter Davies that Lister had taken the money because of debts and not to fund a "lavish" lifestyle.

"It is a long-standing, mean offence that he committed against someone who placed their trust in him. He realises that wholeheartedly," said Miss Weir.

"He is not someone who has taken this lightly. He had no reason and no excuse to commit the offence he has committed."

Judge Davies imposed an eight-month prison sentence but suspended this for two years after hearing the mitigation.

"You were not working for Apple or IBM - you were working for the Lake District Aquarium in Maryport. £11,000 is a significant sum of money, especially bearing in mind Mr Vollers had already lost a significant sum," said the judge.

Lister was also ordered to complete 200 hours' unpaid work and pay £340 costs.

Judge Davies heard Lister's grandparents had loaned him money as he sought to compensate his former employer.

"I hope you pay them back," said the judge.