AN 87-year-old Burnley widow was given three days to pay off £178 rent arrears or face eviction proceedings by the council - even though she didn't owe a penny.

And today a furious councillor and the pensioner's family demanded a full explanation and personal apology from council housing chiefs for the upset.

The demand letter from the council's housing management service upset and distressed Mrs Margaret Langley when it arrived out of the blue at her council bungalow in Fenwick Street.

She even booked to see a solicitor for advice because she feared she would lose her home.

It was only when ward councillor Gordon Birtwistle was called in and explained that because she was income support she had nothing to pay, that the pressure eased on Mrs Langley, a council tenant for 15 years.

Said Liberal Democrat leader Coun Birtwistle: "Her treatment by the council is a disgrace.

"Mrs Langley is on full benefit and has been for many years.

"This seems to have been a monumental mix up between the housing and benefits sections of Burnley town hall.

"Surely it is not too much to expect someone to check the records or call around to the house, or just telephone to sort things out before sending out a letter threatening to throw an elderly lady on the streets for a non-existent debt. He added: "When I called, Mrs Langley was very upset and in tears.

"It is an appalling situation.

"The root problem is that the housing department just don't seem to care how they treat people."

Coun Birtwistle said that when he questioned council officers they said confusion had arisen following Mrs Langley's move from her former home in Forfar Street to her present address earlier this year.

"They admitted they had made a mistake and the 'debt' has been written off."

Coun Birtwistle added: "Mrs Langley has never owed a penny in her life's and her treatment by the council has been inhuman.

"She must have an immediate apology."

Former catering manager Mrs Langley said she was still upset about the letter.

"It made me poorly and I just didn't know what to do," he said.

Her son Harry added: " I filled in all the right forms when my mother moved home and it was acknowledged in a letter from the council that she had nothing to pay. "I want the officer who sent this letter to come out personally and apologise."

The letter from the Neighbourhood Housing Officer H G Evans "insists" Mrs Langley took immediate action to reduce or clear the arrears.

It went on: "Failure to comply with my request within the next three days will give me no alternative but to serve you with a notice of possession proceedings which could ultimately result in the loss of your home."

It added: "If you have cleared this amount during the last few days, I apologise for writing, but would ask you to make every effort to ensure that rent arrears do not re-occur."

Coun Birtwistle said: "It speaks for itself - it is a disgrace."

A spokesman for Burnley Council, who were asked to comment yesterday, said today that a statement was still being prepared and no further comment was available.

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