A couple have mistakenly received hundreds of calls for a mental health service as their company number is almost exactly the same.

Steve and Grace Cowling, who are directors of the Braintree Engineering Company in Albert Road, have an almost identical number to that of the The Gables, which is the mental health services in Bocking End.

The North Essex Partnership (NEP) has stressed people must ring 01376 522 300 for The Gables rather than the Braintree Engineering Company which is 01376 552 300.

NEP chief executive Andrew Geldard said, “Mrs Cowling said she well believes that one in four people have problems and she feels like they have spoken to many of them!

“We sympathise completely – we are exceptionally busy.

“We ask people to please make sure they dial the right number – and change your phone contacts too. “Unfortunately Mr and Mrs Cowling have also had angry calls from people believing they are speaking to us.

“This is never acceptable and no one should be subject to it – especially Mr and Mrs Cowling.

“I’m sending Mrs Cowling some flowers for her patience whilst we get the message out.

“Please dial 522 300 for mental health and 552 300 for your engineering projects!”