FORMER Darlington Football Club owner and chairman George Reynolds was last night recovering from an emergency operation.

But speaking from his bed in the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, Mr Reynolds pledged he would make a personal appearance in court later today in an attempt to recoup monies taken from his Durham apartment by police three weeks ago.

Mr Reynolds, who is facing a number of money laundering charges, began to feel unwell in the middle of last week. On Friday night he called his daughter, Katherine, who travelled from her Sunderland home to his aid.

Not knowing the city, the first hospital she took him to was Durham County Hospital, which deals with psychiatric patients.

"There are a number of people who may have thought that was an appropriate place for me to go,'' said Mr Reynolds.

Once the mistake was discovered his daughter took him to the University Hospital of North Durham, where a series of tests were carried out and yesterday afternoon he underwent an operation to remove kidney stones.

Last night he said: "I cannot praise the staff at the university hospital enough. They have given me marvellous treatment, so good that I will be there in court tomorrow."