A FRAIL 96-year-old Preston council tenant has been threatened with eviction by rent officers.

The woman, who cannot be contacted due to severe illness, was served a letter of notice saying she was hundreds of pounds in rent arrears -- when in fact council records later revealed she did not owe a penny.

The Deepdale pensioner, who has been a Preston council tenant for more than 60 years, is living in fear of bailiffs knocking at her door.

Many of her friends and family are now worried that the council's blunder could result in her health deteriorating.

Long-term friend and Deepdale councillor Terry Cartwright is fuming at council rent officers for putting the pensioner's health at risk.

He stormed: "Thankfully, the notice she received from the council is now invalid. But, that's not really the point. "How can the council make such a huge mistake? Unfortunately, things like this happen all over town -- people are being sent nasty rent arrears letters when in reality tenants are fully paid up.

"This lady is 96 years old. She is bound to be affected by a letter like that. I think it's such a ridiculous situation.

"It basically means that different council departments simply don't talk to each other. If they did, instances like this would never happen."

Peter Deacon, director of housing services, said: "A notice of seeking possession -- the first stage in any legal process -- was served in this case and since the tenant was awaiting the processing of her housing benefit application, this should not have happened.

"A full written apology has been sent to the tenant and her family, which was accepted."