A BOURNEMOUTH councillor is demanding an apology and compensation after £1,285 was taken from his bank account in error.

Cllr Ron Whittaker was shocked to discover on his bank statement that two cheque payments had gone out to settle his Barclaycard credit card bill, instead of one.

He told the Daily Echo: "If I was an elderly person or someone struggling to meet my mortgage payments I would have been panic-stricken.

"Fortunately there were the funds available to prevent me going overdrawn. A single parent, trying to make ends meet on a tight budget, would have been horrified to receive a statement saying so much money had gone out of their account.

"For 48 hours I was passed from pillar to post. Fortunately staff at the Barclays branch in Wallisdown, where I hold my account, were very helpful.

"After two days of phone calls and hassle I was told that the problem had been caused by the international clearing banks in Northampton and I would receive a full refund."

Cllr Whittaker added: "While trying to sort it all out I had to leave important meetings and make several trips to my bank.

"When I contacted Barclaycard they said I had to write a letter of complaint, which I sent by registered post.

"I still haven't received an apology and intend to take the matter further by making a complaint to the financial ombudsman.

"The fact that this has even happened shows there is a serious flaw in the banking system and I've also contacted Dorset police. I am very, very angry."

A Barclaycard spokeswoman said: "A complaint was lodged and it looks like it has been resolved; it was an error at branch level and we only received one payment."

A Barclays' spokesperson said: "We are aware of the problem. The customer has written to us; we only received his letter in the last 24 hours.

"As with any genuine error we will be rectifying the situation as quickly as possible."