LEWISHAM Council has overpaid staff by more than £216,000 over the past 10 years.

There were 159 staff members who received overpayments between 2002 to 2012, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed.

The council has recovered £145,911.23 of the total £216,652.33 owing but 53 people are yet to pay back the extra public money and have been referred to debtors.

There are currently nine staff or ex-staff members who each owe more than £2k including one who gained by £6,686.78.

The most common reason given for the payouts was late notification to the payroll for an employee quitting the council.

Other examples ranged from mis-punched claims, to not returning from maternity leave and outstanding balances of travel season ticket loans.

Have you been overpaid by the council? Contact the newsdesk on 01689 885732.