WINCHESTER civic chiefs have been swamped with would-be tenants falsely claiming local connections with two village housing schemes.

When the council offered homes in affordable schemes in Littleton and Swanmore they were inundated with applications.

There were 847 bids for the 12 homes off Main Street in Littleton and 979 for the 14 homes at Dodds Lane, Swanmore, the Council heard last night (WED).

In Littleton 797 said they had a local connection; in Swanmore it was 713.

But when housing chiefs wrote to each applicant to ask for proof, only 14 could provide it in Littleton and 22 at Swanmore. Both schemes, built by HydeMartlet Housing Association, have been recently completed.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Liberal Democrat leader, raised the issue. She said there had been a lack of clarity in council advertising which encouraged the high number of applications.

Council leader George Beckett said it could have been made clearer that only people with local connections would be considered.

Under new rules, each would-be tenant can make three bids. Mr Beckett said he was unclear whether those people who fruitlessly wasted a bid will be granted another.