A RED-FACED couple sparked a police emergency when they accidentally called 999 in the throes of passion.

Officers at Durham Police's north communications centre became concerned when a call came through, but all that could be heard was the sound of a woman apparently in distress.

A man's voice could also be heard in the background.

When the couple failed to respond to questions, police traced the call to a house in Stanley, County Durham, and officers, believing it to be an emergency, rushed to the scene.

A dishevelled couple came to the door, but officers soon discovered control room staff had been listening in to the language of love, rather than a violent exchange.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "The couple, who answered the knock on their door at just after 2am, were rather surprised and not a little flustered to find uniformed police on the doorstep.

"Their dishevelled appearance was soon explained, it seems the physical activity taking place had been of the amorous, rather than violent kind.

"In the throes of passion they had managed to roll on top of the telephone, which was resting on the floor, and accidentally depressed the nine button."

This then registered in the system as an incomplete emergency call, prompting the police response.

The force spokesman said: ''It caused a smile in the communications centre when the explanation came through."