A woman who ticked a Welsh nationality box when she applied to open an Individual Learning Account was shocked to be told she was ineligible because she was not a British citizen.

Carol Hurley, aged 47, of Trecwn, was also surprised to learn she was not an EU, EEA National, neither employed in the United Kingdom nor paying UK taxes.

I really couldnt believe it said Carol. I thought I must have made a mistake on the form.

She phoned the ILA Centre in Co. Durham, which had sent her the letter, for an explanation.

But to her amazement, she was told the letter she had received was correct.

Said Carol: The man on the phone asked for my reference number. He then said: Youve indicated that you are Welsh.

I said Yes, I am.

He said, And you live in Wales. I said, Yes, I do. Then he said Well thats why.

I was so shocked I couldnt think what to say.

Carol, a senior care assistant at St Theresas Rest Home, Fishguard, was then given another phone number and soon received an ILA pack from the Welsh centre.

Individual Learning Accounts help people pay for learning if they are thinking of doing a course, at college or elsewhere.

Carol said she was still surprised at the way she was treated by the centre in Co. Durham.

If he had said, sorry, youve come through to the wrong department, fine. But to say well youre Welsh and leave it at that - I was quite taken aback.

Why should I say that Im British? I was born and bred in Wales. Im not a Welsh nationalist but I think its important to state your nationality.

It does make me angry that because you are Welsh youre not classed as a GB citizen.

A spokesman for the ILA apologised for the letter and said it must have been an oversight.

She said: Ordinarily she would have been directed to the ILA programme in Wales, which is entirely separate from the English one, she said.