Norwich City Council has had to cancel annual invoices issued to almost 2,000 people who rent allotments from the Labour-run authority - because people had been charged too much.

Some 500 people had already paid before the mistake, which the council blamed on human error, was spotted.

The council said allotment holders should be notified 12 months in advance of a price hike, but the increase had been applied too soon.

The latest botch follows hot on the heels of the council having to say sorry after it took almost 20,000 direct debit payments for council tax and business rates a day too early.

An allotment holder at work(Image: Simon Finlay)

The allotment issue came to light last week, when people were sent their annual invoice to rent plots, only for the figures to be incorrect.

Some people paid the wrong sum, while others found they could not make the payment.

The council has announced it would cancel the invoices, issue new........

© Norwich Evening News