A TOWN'S MP has launched a campaign to warn elderly residents to beware of menacing letters promising them cash.

Alan Milburn, MP for Darlington and former health secretary said there had been a spate of bogus letters sent to pensioners during the summer offering them prizes of thousands of pounds.

Yesterday, he visited Age Concern, in Beaumont Street, where he denounced the letters as "dangerous and menacing".

"I think this is a real problem," said Mr Milburn. "It is absolutely disgusting. It is preying on some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We have got to find a way of stamping it out."

The MP said many elderly constituents in the town had approached him to say they were worried and confused by the letters.

Most ask for bank account or credit card details or a cheque in order for the prize to be processed.

The worst example was one sent to a old man from a Senora Diaz. It appeared to be handwritten and asked the recipient why he had not cashed a cheque for £6,400. He was asked to send £18 in order to receive another cheque.

"This man was very worried - in less than a month, he received £85-worth of demands for money," said Mr Milburn. "We all know he wouldn't have got a penny back. If we are not very careful, we are going to have lots of people quite unfairly ripped off.

"This is a very, very big scam and it's being organised in quite a professional way."

His campaign is backed by Age Concern, which has produced an information sheet telling people what to do if they receive a letter.

Age Concern chairman Charles Johnson said: "Many people will recognise it for what it is, but old people could be confused.

"If people have any doubt, they can ring us on (01325) 362832 and we will offer advice."

Mr Milburn has passed the letters to Darlington Borough Council's trading standards department, which has said that it will investigate the matter.

The MP is advising residents who are targeted to contact the Mail Preference Service at Freeport 22, London, W1E 7EZ or www.mpsaonline.org.uk to have their names removed from junk mail lists.