CHILD sex allegations made in a chain letter sent to Teesside homes have been rejected by police as "spurious".

The letters, in plain brown envelopes, have been hand-delivered to homes around Middlesbrough.

They contain detailed allegations of child abuse and name two men as being part of a national paedophile ring.

But yesterday, a police spokeswoman said the allegations were not part of any investigation.

She said: "The allegations are spurious and the police are not investigating them.

"Officers have been to addresses to pick up copies of these letters, which are still in our possession."

It has been stressed that neither of the men named in the letter have ever been investigated by the police or had allegations made against them.

One resident who received a copy of the letter said: "It is disgusting that people can send things like this out without even putting a name to it.

"People should go to the police - not send horrible letters like this that are so offensive."

The anonymous writer of the letter claims to have infiltrated a paedophile ring after his daughter was abused.

The letter ends by asking anyone who receives it to make ten photocopies and pass them on to people they know.

Police are looking into the source of the letter and anyone who receives a copy is asked to contact them on (01642) 326326.