71448-29Pensioner Jim Broadfoot is at his wits end, over letters addressed to his dead wife sent by Swindon Council.

The former RAF serviceman, of Bruton Walk, Park South, said he breaks down in tears every time he receives the mail and is demanding the local authority puts a stop to it.

Mr Broadfoot, whose wife, Mary, died of breast cancer more than two years ago, will air his disgust on Wednesday during a showdown with council leader Mike Bawden.

"It is very distressing," said Mr Broadfoot, who was married to Mary for 49 years.

"I'm not a big sleeper but when I first got a letter I couldn't sleep at all because it upset me so much.

"I think the council must be going around the twist. I've lived in the town since coming out of the RAF in 1974 I would have expected better treatment by now."

Earlier this year the 72-year-old, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and arthritis, received the first of four letters addressed to him and his late wife and he said all the worry was affecting his health.

Two of the letters, from the council's housing department, arrived on June 30 and July 1. After making a complaint to the council last Wednesday and arranging an appointment to see Coun Bawden, another letter arrived the following day.

One referred to a request for a council house even though he has never made an application.

"I just wonder when it's going to stop," said the father-of-six, who also worked for construction companies and was logistics manager for the Royal International Air Tattoo.

"I've even taken her death certificate in to show them. I blame it on computers.

"My family isn't happy either because they know how it affects me."

Close friend and Age Concern volunteer Brian Massan, said his 82-year-old mum Christina Irvine was also receiving mail from the council addressed to her late husband, Edward.

"I think it's disgusting this is happening and very stressful for the people involved," he said.

Swindon Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop apologised for the letters, and said there had been a mistake.

He said: "Swindon Council is sincerely sorry for distress caused to Mr Broadfoot. He received the incorrectly addressed letters due to a clerical error. This was a regrettable oversight and all records have now been changed so that it will not happen again."

Ben Payne