RED-FACED council chiefs have said sorry to a Greenock army veteran for sending a warning letter over a £10 bill.

Dan McConnell, 75, was stunned when he was threatened with court action over an alleged council tax debt.

The disgruntled pensioner brought his complaint to the Telegraph, who contacted Inverclyde Council and it transpired they actually owed HIM money.

The pensioner lives in Bearhope Street and saw active service in Cyprus during his national service in the Black Watch between 1958 and 1960.

He said: “I got a letter after the story appeared in the paper.

“I don’t think it would have happened without coming to the Telegraph.” “I think this is type of thing is probably happening to other people.

“I’ve been down to the council office before and I saw an old lady crying outside. I asked her if she was ill but she told me that the council wanted to take more money off her and she didn’t have it to give to them.

“I didn’t even know they owed me money until I read it in the Telegraph.

“They’re quick at telling if you owe them but they’re not so good when the shoe is on the other foot.” Dan received a reminder for £10.26 and it stated that a application would be made at the sheriff court for a summary warrant to receive the full charge – and that another 10 per cent would be added to his account.

The grandfather, who suffers from heart problems, said: “I spoke to a girl at the office and she said ‘it’s not a threatening letter, they go out to everybody’ but it’s threatening if they’re going to send a sheriff officer to your door.” Council chiefs have now sent a further letter saying: “I acknowledge receipt of your complaint in respect of the Council Tax Reminder and apologise for any distress this notice may have caused you.” It went on to explain that Mr McConnell had overpaid £13.87 in 2013/2104 and this has now been transferred into the current year’s account.

Mr McConnell said: “I can’t thank the Telegraph enough, no-one else listened.”