A PENSIONER says he was threatened with eviction from his home over a benefit bungle involving council contractors WS Atkins.

Victor Herbert, 60, said the troubled company, which processes benefit claims on behalf of Swindon Council, wrongly told him they would be seeking possession of his home.

A letter sent to his one-bedroom bungalow in Studland Close, Park South, said he was to be evicted for non-payment of rent if he didn't settle a £188 bill.

But Mr Herbert, who cannot work because of a back complaint, relies on housing and incapacity benefit.

He said: "My rent is paid through the benefits I receive.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw that they wanted to evict me."

Swindon Council has denied that the letter was a notice of eviction.

But Mr Herbert thinks switching his claim for disability benefit to incapacity benefit may have been the route of the problem.

On receiving the letter Mr Herbert immediately contacted WS Atkins who he said confirmed that it had been sent in error.

Mr Herbert said he was told to ignore the letter but says he cannot shake the thought of losing his home.

"I know they said to forget it but what if someone comes round to chuck me out?" he said. "I have lived here for more than a year and I can't stop worrying about it."

Hellen Barnes, a spokeswoman for the council, said: "Mr Herbert's circumstances have changed recent- ly and having to submit a fresh claim has unfortunately resulted in a delay in the payment of housing benefit.

"The letter that Mr Herbert received, which was not technically a threat of eviction, should not have been sent out as we were aware of a new claim being processed."

She added that the council would like to apologise to Mr Herbert for his upset.