SOUTH Hams Council has agreed to change the wording on its BID invoices after a complaint they implied people were in debt.

Dartmouth Museum chairman David Lingard said he was offended by the use of the word 'debtor' on the BID?levy invoice.

'My objection has nothing to do with the BID itself,' he said. 'I am in receipt of the invoice – the first this year – and will, of course, pay it.

'But how dare they use the word "debtor". It is an offensive word and quite unjustified and implies that money is overdue or worse. It is not.'

In an email to the council, he said: 'Have you never heard of the Fleet Prison in London? It was a debtor's prison and there will have been others around the country. The implication of your title is that we are in some way at fault when that is most certainly not the case. Think again.

'Dartmouth Museum supports the BID but your disgusting and thoughtless approach could change all that.'

Sonia Powell, head of South Hams Council's support services, has apologised to Mr Lingard.

'It was not our intention to cause offence and we fully take on board your comments,' she said. 'We will change the wording on our automatic invoice template before the next invoice is issued.'