A COUPLE mistakenly received hundreds of calls for a mental health service.

Steve and Grace Cowling, directors of the Braintree Engineering Company, in Albert Road, have an almost identical company number as that of the Gables, the mental health service in Bocking End.

The North Essex Partnership stressed that people must ring 01376 522 300 for the Gables, rather than the Braintree Engineering Company, which is 01376 552 300.

The partnership’s chief executive Andrew Geldard said: “Mrs Cowling said she well believes that one in four people has problems and she feels like they have spoken to many of them.

“We sympathise. We ask people to please make sure they dial the right number – and change your phone contacts too.

“Unfortunately, Mr and Mrs Cowling have also had angry calls from people believing they are speaking to us.

“This is never acceptable and no-one should be subjected to it.

“I’m sending Mrs Cowling flowers for her patience whilst we get the message out.’’