THOUSANDS of Durham City council tax payers have been sent the wrong bill.

The city council is responsible for collecting money for itself, Durham County Council, the police, fire brigade and parish councils.

But it is thought that about 5,000 people in some areas have not been billed with the full amount they should be paying.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council did not include increased precepts - charges levied by about five parish councils because of what it described as a 'clerical error'.

The council says the shortfall is about £5,400 - pennies on individual bills - and that sending out fresh bills would cost far more.

Instead it will stump up the money to the affected parish councils.

Council leader Sue Pitts said: "The council is very sorry that this error has taken place. Procedures are being put in place so it does not happen again."

One of the parishes affected was Sherburn where the city council member for finance, Carol Woods, is a parish councillor.

Labour spokesman Mike Syer said: "It should have been noticed, particularly by the portfolio holder for finance. It is a silly mistake and makes it look like the council tax hasn't gone up by as much as it has."