Reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated!

Here’s a man who knows how it feels to be a dead man walking.

Charles Westney, 25, almost choked on his cornflakes when he opened a letter addressed to his Ferndown home on Thursday morning.

The dispatch from HM Revenue and Customs offered condolences for his own death!

Attempting to check the tax position for the “estate of the late Cecil Charles Westney”, the correspondence came as something of a shock to the chef.

“I can feel a pulse so I’m very much alive!” said Charles, whose middle name is Cecil.

“I just burst out laughing when I read it. It’s a good job I’m not over-sensitive.”

Charles, who currently works at Sainsbury’s in Talbot Heath, said though he has several relatives living in the area, none live with him at his home in Park Way, West Moors.

He also said there had been no death in his family recently.

“I’ve absolutely no idea who it could have been intended for,” said Charles, who has lived alone at the same address for nearly four years.

Charles, who originally hails from Tooting in London, called HM Revenue and Customs to try and find out why he was apparently no more.

They told him the blame appeared to lie with a previous employer, who they said had filled out his last P45 incorrectly. Charles was told the problem would be rectified and he would not suffer any knock-on effects from the error.

Lisa Billard, from HM Revenue and Customs, apologised for any distress caused.

She said: “We are very sorry to learn that this letter was received. Although we are unable to comment on individual cases due to taxpayer confidentiality, the matter has already been referred to the appropriate team for urgent investigation and the gentleman will be contacted.”