Apology over council tax blunder

A Lincolnshire authority has apologised after taking more than £250,000 of council tax payments early.

Boston Borough Council said it had taken money out of the accounts of more than 2,750 people using direct debit five days earlier than planned.

A spokesman admitted that while the time difference was small, some residents may have gone overdrawn.

He added that the council would consider compensating anyone who had incurred bank charges as a result.

The problem affected people who paid by direct debit and whose latest instalment should have done out on 4 November.

Richard Micklewright, Assistant Director of Resources at Boston Borough Council said: "We are very sorry that this has happened.

"We did contact our bank as soon as we were aware of the error but unfortunately the payment request had already been processed and there was no way to stop the request or let customers know in time."