Some residents and business-owners in Copeland have received large council tax and business rates bills this week.

Due to a cyber attack which hit Copeland Council in August, the authority has been unable to generate updated bills for residents and businesses.

These bills have now been sent out this week, along with a letter apologising and explaining the delay, as well as offering payment advice to customers.

Those who received their bill in April 2017 and paid it in full - or pay it monthly - are unaffected.

It is the customers whose circumstances have changed since August, such as moving house or changing their Direct Debit details, that the council's system was unable to process.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie said: "The cyber attack was devastating for this council and one of the impacts it had was that we could not generate new council tax bills.

"At the point of a customer notifying us of a change in circumstances, we explained that there would be a delay in sending a bill to them, and offered alternative ongoing methods of payment rather than a large bill arriving on their doorsteps once our system was re-activated.

"Throughout the delay, we have also written to affected customers to notify them, and again, offer alternative ongoing methods of payment to avoid a large bill arriving retrospectively."

Mr Starkie added that the council appreciated some residents have been surprised to receive a large bill this week.

Those who are unable to pay in full can contact the council on 01946 598300 to discuss a suitable payment arrangement.

The cyber attack, which happened over the August bank holiday weekend, caused disruption and delays to services, including land searches, planning applications and building control.