LAUNDRY staff at an NHS Trust have appealed for help after becoming concerned about the amount of linen lost in the past year.

During the past 12 months, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has spent nearly £20,000 replacing lost items.

It is thought that most of the linen will have been mistakenly taken home by patients or transferred to nursing homes with them.

Laundry staff are making a plea to all former patients and nursing homes to return linen, which can be identified by a printed North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust logo.

In the past year, about 3,000 towels have gone missing costing £4,500.

Approximately 800 blankets worth £6,000 have disappeared and more than 1,500 nighties and pyjamas worth £6,500 cannot be traced.

On average, the trust spends £45,000 per year on bedding and linen but this increased to £65,000 in the past year mainly to replace lost items.

They can be returned, without any questions being asked, at the main reception of either the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, or the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Alternatively, the laundry van can pick up any linen found in local nursing homes or at individual addresses.

Reg Ramsden, laundry assistant manager, said: "We would be really grateful for the return of any items belonging to the trust.

"We know how easy it is to mistakenly take towels and nightwear etc home but it does cost the trust a lot of money to replace them.

"That money could be spent on benefiting patients some other way.

"It also puts a strain on the good service the laundry always attempts to provide to patients.

"We held a linen amnesty three years ago and many items of linen were returned. We are hoping this can be repeated."

To arrange collection of bedding, towels, nightwear and any other linen, contact (01642) 624750 or 624751 between 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, and ask for Mr Ramsden.