A computer error has resulted in hundreds of blank sheets of paper being sent out to benefit claimants.

The error is believed to have cost thousands of pounds and is being investigated by Benefits Agency bosses.

They have promised people on income support and other benefits will not lose out because of the computer glitch.

The error came to light after a disabled woman from Hove opened a letter from the agency.

She said: "It contained a letter saying details of my income support payments were attached but the second sheet of paper was completely blank.

"When I phoned the agency they said it had been caused by a computer error and an awful lot of people had been affected.

"I asked the chap on the phone if it had cost a lot of money to send out these blank bits of paper and he said it had."

Benefits Agency spokesman Mike Smith said the error was caused by a computer fault.

He said: "We are aware of the problem and we are doing our utmost to resolve the problem.

"Our claimants' benefit payments should not be affected and we will do all we can to ensure they are not.

"I have been unable to contact our computer staff so I cannot say exactly how many people have been affected or how much the error has cost."