Thousands of people across Tendring got a shock with their council tax bills.

Having opted to pay by ten monthly instalments by direct debit they were presented with a demand for the whole amount by April 1.

Around one in 20 people who have already received their bills have been affected by the mistake.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said he could hardly believe his eyes when he got the demand. And when he tried to get through to the council by telephone he found lines were completely jammed up.

A Tendring Council spokesman apologised for any anxiety it had caused to residents.

"The computer error has resulted in about 5,000 bills - from a total run of 100,000 - indicating that the full amount of council tax payable is due on April 1," he said.

"We wholeheartedly apologise for this mistake and residents should be assured that we will not be debiting their accounts on that day, as has been suggested."

He said: "We intend to contact everyone affected, by letter, in the next few days, fully explaining the situation. In the meantime a special team will handle enquiries from anyone who needs clarification on this issue."

The spokesman said all the incorrect bills - sent to those opting to pay by instalment by direct debit - had been cancelled.

New bills, showing the correct instalments and dates, will be issued shortly. The spokesman said that the process of sorting this out will take some time but no one affected will have to pay anything at all until May 1 - one month later than they would normally have to.

However it would still give time for them to meet the full bill with ten payments over the year.

A special helpline number of 01255 254153 has been set up by the council to handle queries.

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