Water firm writes to 'Mr Deceased'

South West Water has apologised for the letter

A water company has apologised after sending a letter to a relative of a dead man which began 'Dear Mr Deceased'.

The letter went on to thank David Bogue, who died in December, for his recent communication about his "move" from his home.

The letter has angered Mr Bogue's daughter, Marilyn Calquhoun, who opened it after she settled her late father's outstanding account with South West Water.

"It was just so crass. It is bureaucracy and computers gone mad. It was just so ridiculous. It really hurt me," she said.

It was purely an error and we didn't do it on purpose

South West Water spokesman

Mr Bogue, from Plymouth, died on 17 December last year following a heart attack.

A spokesman from South West Water said the company had written to Mrs Calquhoun to apologise for any distress caused.

"It was purely an error and we didn't do it on purpose," he said.

"It was a mistake and we will review our procedures to try to prevent it occurring again."

Last year a London council wrote to a dead man telling him his council tax benefit was being stopped.

William Reynolds was told by Lambeth Borough Council: "There has been a change in your circumstances, the change is because you are dead."

Two years ago the Woolwich apologised after also addressing a dead man as 'Dear Mr Deceased'.