HEALTH watchdogs are baffled by mystery posters claiming their office has been shut down.

The South Durham and Weardale Community Health Council (CHC), which is involved in consultation about proposals by Government expert Professor Ari Darzi to reorganise hospital services in County Durham, fears it might have been the victim of a bizarre hoax.

Two A4-sized posters arrived at Citizens Advice Bureaux in Sedgefield and Spennymoor and were put on display by staff.

The claimed the community health council "no longer has an office in Bishop Auckland" and offered alternative addresses and telephone numbers which were out of date.

CHC chief officer Valeri Bryden said: "I have no idea where they came from. They came in the post, but the envelopes have been destroyed.

"It concerns me that people may have been trying to get in touch with us but have the wrong information.

"I have contacted the Department of Health, suggesting that we do a big campaign to let people know that we are still here."

The community health council can be contacted at 14 Tenters Street, Bishop Auckland, telephone (01388) 605013.