BUNGLING Government officials have been bombarding a mother-of-one with tax credit cash - even though she's not entitled to it.

So far, the 37-year-old Worcester woman has been paid £700 when she is only entitled to £10.40 a week.

Despite her pleas, Inland Revenue officials have refused to accept the money back and have said they cannot guarantee the payments will be stopped.

"I've had two cheques for more than £300 each and money has been paid straight into my bank account," said the woman, who has an 11-year-old son. "I wouldn't mind if the money was mine or they said I could keep it, but I know at some point I'm going to have to pay it back."

The Government launched the child tax credit and working tax credit means-tested benefits last month in a blaze of publicity, targeting families on low incomes.

But the Evening News has been inundated with calls from disgruntled parents angry that they have not received their money because of bureaucratic delays and miscalculations.

"I find it particularly galling because I've read in the Evening News about all the families who are desperately awaiting their payments and here I am, someone who is entitled to the bare minimum, receiving so much," said the woman, who lives in St John's.

She says it took her two weeks to get through to the tax credit helpline.

"The line was engaged for a long time and when I did get through, the staff were very unhelpful.

"I explained that I wasn't entitled to this money and wanted to give it back but they didn't want to know. The next thing I knew, I had had another cheque. I'm worried that because I'm not entitled to the money, I'll be accused of fraud by simply having it in my possession. It's diabolical."

Claudine Lashley, spokesman for the Inland Revenue, said: "If someone has been overpaid, that money will be due to be paid back and adjustments made for the following year. I would urge her to write to the address on the tax credit claim and pay the money back to us as soon as possible."

n Have you had trouble receiving the correct amount of child tax credit? Or have you struggled to get any payments at all? Contact Leda Reynolds on 01905 742267 or email: lr@thisisworcester.co.uk.