A BOGUS council letter has been distributed to residents homes claiming they were to be rehoused.

The letters were distributed in the Walker and Byker areas of Newcastle, claiming to be from an assistant housing officer at the city council.

Yesterday, a city council spokesman said the matter was being taken seriously by both themselves and Northumbria Police.

The leader of the council, Councillor Tony Flynn, said: "This behaviour is blatant scare-mongering and will not be tolerated.

"We have written to residents to reassure them that this letter was not from anyone at the council and has no legitmacy in relation to any regeneration scheme at the council."