Benefit chiefs today apologised to a widower after claiming his wife was still living with him - five years after her death.

John Scott-Coleman, 58, was devastated when he received a letter from Bradford Council asking for proof of his wife Brenda's national insurance number.

The letter from the Council's benefits service said it had received information that Mrs Scott was living at the couple's home in Upper Rushton Road, Fagley, and asked for details including her date of birth and proof of identity.

Mr Scott-Coleman, pictured with the letter, said: "My legs gave way and I just sat back in my seat when I read the letter.

"I couldn't believe it. It was a terrific shock. I love my wife and if they could bring her back I would be the happiest man in the world.

"I took photocopies of her death certificate and gave them to the housing department, social security and everyone else we dealt with in City Hall after my wife died.

"But I feel like I am a non-entity, just a number - a nothing.

"It's disgusting for someone to say that your wife has come back from the dead and moved back in with you."

Mrs Scott died aged 50 from broncho-pneumonia and heart problems on November 11, 1998, after a battle against cervical cancer.

The couple had been married for 20 years and had four children.

Mr Scott-Coleman said he had been told that the information to the Council was supplied by the Department for Work and Pensions.

"Things like this should not be allowed to happen," he said.

"The authorities should check everything before they send out letters like this. I have cried every day since my wife died and it has taken more than four years to get over it. To have my world shattered by a pathetic letter like this is disgusting."

A spokesman for Bradford Council apologised to Mr Scott-Coleman and blamed the error on "information supplied by an external agency".

Department for Work and Pensions spokesman Simon Wilkinson said: "We realise this is very upsetting for Mr Scott-Coleman.

"The Department for Work and Pensions is working closely with Bradford Council to find out precisely why this letter was sent by its department. He will receive a full explanation as soon as the details are known."

Last month the Telegraph & Argus reported how the Department for Work and Pensions was forced to apologise to cancer patient Cecilia Wozny, 75, of Cottingley, after stopping her benefits and sending a letter to her home informing her that she was dead.