Villagers are being warned of a hoax letter which was sent out claiming to be from Tendring Council.

Calvin Heal, crime prevention officer at Clacton Police Station, said an elderly resident in Walton received a letter, which appeared to be from Tendring Council, for a council officer to call round.

He said: "The logo did not match the present one used by the council and not only was the letter heading out of date, but it asked the person to contact someone who didn't work for the council and gave an extension number that didn't exist."

He said the letter related to a tenancy matter. He added: "With any tenancy letter you receive that you are not happy with you should contact Tendring Council housing department."

Mr Heal said he had also informed parish councils in Tendring of the hoax letter.

Mike Page, spokesman for Tendring Council, said any letters which come from the council would have a name and a contact number on it.

He said: "Anyone associated with the council who has authority to visit people in their own homes will carry identity cards and if you have any doubt at all you should contact the Town Hall to check."

Published Monday January 14, 2002