A MICKLETON man says he is at risk from identity fraud due to the incompetence of Wychavon District Council following the loss of vital documents including his family's medical cards and personal paperwork.

David Sumner, who lives on Cedar Road in the village with his partner Hayley Wheeler and two children Paige aged 7 and Jake aged one, says he is vexed, upset and annoyed that the important documents have been mislaid and is planning to make an official complaint.

"I'm self employed and am on a low income and when I lived in Pebworth I attempted to claim through Wychavon. I was told I couldn't so they sent the paperwork back. I left it but then after visiting the Citizen's Advice Bureau I was told again I could claim. I sent off my details again and was told that I couldn't claim so I asked for the paperwork back. I moved house in the meantime but gave them my new address in Mickleton.

"When I rang to see where it was, I was told they'd sent it back but it turned out they had sent it to my old address. I have medical cards in there and family credit documents. It's not that I can't claim anything, it's that I had to ring several times for my documents and fill in forms, it has just not been straightforward."

He continued: "I am now under Cotswold District Council and I have never had a problem with them, they send everything recorded delivery. What I want to know is why one council gets it right and the other doesn't and yet they are so close in terms of geography?

"Wychavon have been in contact with new people at the Pebworth house but they said the documents have been re-posted but Wychavon don't know where they are. I am disgusted and will be complaining through the proper channels."

Caroline Smith, who has been dealing with Mr Sumner's case, could not comment but Anne-Marie Darroch, press officer at Wychavon District Council said that an investigation into the case had been launched: "We cannot comment in depth due to confidentiality," she said. "However, I can tell you we are investigating this matter and are taking every measure to make sure Mr Sumner and his documents are reunited."