Residents are being asked to check the addresses they are giving to businesses and utility and other organisations after a string of mail was sent to the wrong addresses.

Mail has been arriving at properties in Millgates, in Acomb ward, when its intended destination is Poppleton Gate House, on the same street. The confusion has led to residents on the street taking mail round regularly to its rightful recipients.

Ward councillor David Horton urged residents to use their full address on any correspondence:

"It's not the biggest problem but it is something of a pain to those who, to give them due credit, have been getting the post to where it should be going to. I'd like to urge residents in Poppleton Gate House to specify their full addresses in their dealings with anyone who is likely to write to them.

"Otherwise, they may end up finding they are missing important items of post like bills and correspondence on tax credits, that have been misdirected in recent weeks. People have been good enough to hand-deliver this post, but that good nature should not be tested for too long".