NANNY Kelly Fowler was left shocked when she called up the Government — only to be told no one could talk to her because she was dead.

The mix-up happened after the 18-year-old received a letter from her former employer saying it had accidentally ‘killed her off’ – along with dozens of other temporary staff who had left the firm – when updating computer software.

The letter arrived from child care company, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, apologising for having told HM Revenue & Customs she had passed away.

Later Ms Fowler, of Foster Road, Abingdon, was told by HM Revenue & Customs it could not discuss the incident with her as its records showed she was dead.

Bright Horizons, based in Northamptonshire, sent the letter apologising for a “computer error”. It said the same thing had happened to 186 temporary staff who had left the company between June and October.

Ms Fowler, who worked for the company’s St Mary’s Nursery, in Faringdon Road, Abingdon, until June, said: “It came as a total shock.

“I was out of the house and my mum rang me to say I had a letter. I told her to open it and she said the Inland Revenue think you’re dead. I said I’m still alive!

“To begin with HM Revenue & Customs wouldn’t talk to me about it because they thought I was dead.

“It’s actually quite worrying because my mum could’ve thought all sorts of things if I had been away when she opened it.

“All the girls at the company are on my Facebook and know I’m still alive.”

Ms Fowler’s mother, Karen, 44, said: “I think they need to get their act together, especially when you think this company is taking care of children.

“It’s quite frightening, perhaps the nursery’s children are writing the letters.”

Ms Fowler’s father, Alan, 41, a plasterer, said: “I just couldn’t believe it.

“I rang them up and the woman said they had sent out other letters.

“I don’t believe it could be a computer error, you would need to send out the P45 and someone would’ve done that personally.”

Last night Bright Horizons spokesman Deb Gemmell said the error had occurred as a result of updated computer software.

She said: “We understand any errors of this kind have an emotive as well as practical impact and again we wish to apologise wholeheartedly for any distress.”

No-one was available to comment from the Inland Revenue last night.