A NORTH TAWTON couple who paid six months' council tax in advance have received an apology after getting a bill for 1p and a note saying their cheque, drawn just days before, was 1p short.

Geoff and Margaret Paddon, from North Tawton, thought they were doing West Devon Borough Council a favour by paying in advance but they got a reminder saying: "If you are unable to make this payment in full, please contact the council office to make alternative arrangements."

The council has admitted the error and has sent the couple a letter of apology and a bouquet of flowers.

Mrs Paddon said: "I think it's a ludicrous waste of money, with all the administration that's involved.

"We've been down to the Post Office to pay the penny because I'm worried that they are going to waste more money sending out a reminder.

"We had a good laugh in the Post Office, but really it isn't funny when you think of the financial cost being incurred."

Mrs Padden said she believed the underpayment was an error made by her husband when he wrote the cheque.

Tracey Winser, head of revenue and benefits for West Devon Borough Council, said: "It was human error.

"We should have sent out the bill saying it was for information purposes only, but we didn't do that."

She added that a review of how the council sends out bills was under-way at this time.