AN investigation has been launched after three people claiming to be nurses threatened to refuse to treat restaurant staff following a dispute over their bill.

They were among a party of five who had booked a table at the Venus Italian restaurant, in Cramlington.

After complaining about the service, they demanded a refund on the £89.70 bill.

When owner Pano Papaioannou explained it was not policy and offered free drinks instead, they demanded the names of the staff, including restaurant manager Valerie Rea.

Mr Papaioannou, a councillor on Blyth Valley District Council, said: "One asked me if I realised where she worked and when I said no she replied, 'God help you if ever you or family need hospital treatment'.

''She told me she was a nurse at the Freeman Hospital and she would make sure neither me or my staff would receive care or treatment, if we ever needed it.

"It was shocking. She was using her position in the NHS to threaten us."

A spokeswoman for Newcastle Hospitals Trust said: "We do not yet know the full details of what happened, but we have reassured Mr Papaioannou and his staff that we take this very seriously indeed.

"The patient services director and the chief executive have been notified, and we will be investigating the matter at the first opportunity."