EIGHTY-FIVE-year-old Dennis Felton of Knighton thought his wife was recovering well in hospital after a fall at home, writes LIZ WATKINS.

He was deeply shocked when he received a letter from social services saying she had died - and enclosing a bill for £28 for former home care.

But it was all a sad mistake. His wife Lilian, aged 82, was alive and well and her husband had to be taken to the hospital to be convinced.

But he did not get over the shock and his family believe it led to a sudden heart attack, and his death, 10 days later.

People in Knighton, where Dennis had lived nearly all his life and at one time worked as a painter are saddened at his death under such circumstances.

It has caused Dr Peter Gooderham, Brecon and Radnorshire prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate, to take the matter up with Powys Social Services, on behalf of the family.

"Nothing will bring Mr Felton back but we want to be sure this can never happen to anyone else,'' he said.

Mrs Felton, a victim of Alzheimers disease, had been in hospital for six weeks following a fall.

She and Dennis had been married for 60 years and had four children and six great grandchildren.

The family say he was deeply shocked when he opened the letter from social services expressing regret at his wife's passing and offering condolences.

At the same time they wished to 'mention' the sum of £28 in respect of home care received.

The family found it doubly disturbing because they say the bill had already been settled.

Although told his wife was still alive, his family say he thought they were still keeping something back from him and it had hit everyone very hard.

A spokesman for social services said the mistake happened when a clerical worker misread an automated form on a computer screen. They had visited the family and expressed their deep regret at the mistake.

Mrs Felton has left hospital and is in a nursing home. The funeral for her husband Dennis has taken place in Knighton.