Laundry staff at an NHS Trust have got themselves into a lather about the amount of linen lost in the past year.

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

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

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

In the last year around 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.

On average the Trust spends £45,000 per year on bedding and linen, this increased to £65,000 in the last year mainly to replace the bedding and linen that has disappeared.

Returned bedding and linen will be received without any questions being asked. It can be left 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 individual addresses.

Reg Ramsden, assistant manager laundry, 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, 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 to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and ask for Reg or Angela.