Payments due on Thursday were taken on Tuesday. The council has said it was an administrative error.

About 300 customers, or one per cent, were affected by the mistake.

Head of finance at the district council Richard Wyles said: "300 of our customers – approximately one per cent - who pay their council tax by direct debit have been affected by this error.

"We will reimburse anyone who has incurred costs as a result of this error and we are now contacting these customers as a priority.

"We are working with the banks to reach a solution and to put measures in place to stop this happening again and future direct debit instructions will be unaffected. Future payments will continue to be called for on the 1st of each month."

Anyone who has incurred bank charges can contact the revenues department on 01476 406510.

Have you been affected by this? Please call our newsdesk on 01780 750436.