A COUPLE were horrified to be sent a stranger's personal details, after applying for a bank account.

Liz Maybank and Luke Jordan, of Camellia Crescent, Clacton, submitted their own details to the Abbey National, via the bank's internet site.

Ten days later, they received documentation to sign and send back in order to complete the application.

But the couple were appalled when they noticed the details referred to a man in Bromley, London.

Miss Maybank, 32, said: "It had his full name, date of birth, address, job details - basically everything you'd need to open an account.

"We couldn't believe it."

The couple, who have been together for five years, were further upset when telephone calls and a visit to their Clacton branch of the bank did nothing to reassure them about their own information.

An Abbey National spokesman said: "We have apologised to Ms Maybank and Mr Jordan.

"We explained that this was due to human error.

"We have offered them £50 compensation as a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenience caused and to cover their telephone calls to us."