Wolverhampton council sends out wrong letters to 110,000 residents for second year in a row

People on the 'closed register' were told their details could be seen by anyone, while those on the 'open register' were told their information would be kept private.

Wolverhampton council has received hundreds of complaints after the botched letters were sent out in what bosses describe as 'an administrative error'.

The Labour-led authority used the same excuse last year following a similar blunder. On that occasion, letters were sent out to 39,000 voters not on the open register telling them their details were available for all to see.

Council spokesman Tim Clark said: "We wrote to every household confirming the details that we hold.

"Due to an administration error people who have opted out of having their details made available were told their details were available. Those who had opted in to the open register were told their details would be withheld.

"We would like to reassure people that the error was only in the letter. Nothing has changed and their details have stayed where they were."

The council has sent out another 110,000 letters offering an apology to those affected by the gaffe.