RED-faced council officers told a prospective tenant he could be rehoused but then had to withdraw the offer.

Centenary cottages in Longwick are owned by Warden Housing Association and filled from Wycombe District Council's housing waiting list under the Rural Exception Scheme.

This means the person needs either to have employment in the village or residential connections there. But after a flat became available last month, an offer was made to someone who did not fill that criteria.

Longwick-cum-Ilmer parish councillors learnt about the mistake at its annual meeting last month. They said they had not been informed or consulted about the decision to rehouse the tenant.

Ian Walker said: "I thought that if ever there was a change, the parish council was to be informed. As a council, we've heard nothing at all."

Wycombe district councillor Pam Priestley, who attended the meeting, said an error had occurred in procedure. She said the person had not yet moved in and it was now sorted. An offer will be made to a person who has connections with Longwick.

A Wycombe District Council spokesman refused to comment on how the mistake came about. Alan Weston, parish council clerk, claimed it was due to a change in personnel at the district council's housing department and at the housing association.

He said: "We'll keep our eyes open. If we have somebody moving out, we'll get on to the council."