The government has mistakenly sent out shielding emails to clinically extreme vulnerable people living in Herefordshire instead of Hertfordshire.

The Department for Health and Social care confirmed that some people were sent shielding notification letters by email on December 21 incorrectly.

Currently, clinically extremely vulnerable people in Tier 4 areas are advised to follow shielding advice. No other areas are currently advised to shield.

Herefordshire is currently under more relaxed Tier 1 measures while Hertfordshire is under much tougher Tier 4 restrictions.

St Albans MP Daisy Cooper shared the government's error on twitter, tweeting: “JEEZ. Govt has *once again* sent the Tier 4 clinically extremely vulnerable shielding emails to residents in *Herefordshire* (Tier 1) not *Hertfordshire* (Tier 4).

“Given that 5 of 10 #Hertfordshire Tory MPs are on the govt payroll, you’d think Govt would know the difference.”

The Department for Health and Social care blamed the blunder on “a technical error in our messaging system”.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of a technical error in our messaging system, which led to an incorrect message being sent to some clinically extremely vulnerable people on 21 December.

“We can confirm that the new shielding advice only applies to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and who live in a Tier 4 area. Those who have received the incorrect message are being contacted today.”