COUNCIL bosses yesterday apologised to a grieving family for trying to bill a driver for wrecking a lamppost that killed him.

The elderly mother of Jason Bennett, 32, spoke of her shock when the council demand arrived through the post.

The father-of-two died in November when his Toyota MR2 sports car left the road and collided with a lamppost and several trees in Stainton, near Middlesbrough.

This week, Middlesbrough Council wrote to Mr Bennett saying that the council's policy was to pursue drivers for the cost of replacing and repairing street furniture, such as lampposts, damaged in road accidents.

The letter asked the dead man to confirm he was responsible for the damage and contact council officers who in four weeks could send him a bill, which is normally met by the driver's insurance company.

Mr Bennett's mother, Caroline, 75, said: ''I haven't had a good night's sleep since Jason died.

''So when I got this letter I was just shaking all over. An apology makes no difference, the whole thing is just disgusting.''

The letter was addressed to Mr Bennett's home in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, which he shared with his mother.

A council spokesman said: ''The first thing to say is that as soon as the family of Mr Bennett contacted the council about the letter we apologised to them. Of course we told them that no further action would be taken. All we can do is say sorry.''