COUNCIL tax switchboards in Burnley rang hot after disgruntled householders were sent non-payment reminders - even though they had arranged for the bills to be met by Abbey National standing order.

Complaints flowed in after they were included among the 5,500 reminders sent out to people who had not met the first instalment of the annual council tax bill - warning that they faced possible court action and costs if they did not come up with the cash.

Today local taxation officer Michael Frazer confirmed the council had received numerous calls from worried customers.

And he was adamant the problem rested with Abbey National and not the local authority.

He explained: "Standing orders are arranged directly with the bank by the householder once they receive their bill from the council.

"Our inquiries with Abbey National indicate that they have not been able to process them all and therefore payment of the first instalment has not come through.

"There are too many for customers to have returned the orders to the bank too late and all the other banks have honoured theirs."

Mr Frazer said he had spent an hour advising a worried woman pensioner who had received a reminder.

He added some customers had been told by the Abbey that two payments would be made by the bank when the second instalment was due next week, while others have been advised to pay the first call themselves and that standing orders would apply for second and further instalments.

An Abbey National spokesman said they were looking into the matter.

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