A Norton family want to put a stop to the sympathy cards they keep receiving - because their relative is not dead.

Pensioner Bertie Powell collapsed last week and was taken to Scarborough Hospital.

Since then Mr Powell, who is in his 70s, has made a good recovery and is expected to be discharged from hospital soon.

But daughter, Linda Moody, also from Norton, said it was really upsetting her family to have well-meaning people offering their condolences.

She said: "I got a card pushed through the letter box saying sorry to hear about your dad, and it really got to me. My mum has taken it in her stride because these things do happen, but it has just snowballed."

Another family member, who asked not to be named, said: "I just want this rumour stopped.

"He is very much better and alive, I went to see him in hospital just the other day. Folks have stopped me in the street and it is awful. People want to get their priorities right - it hurt me, it really upset me."

Updated: 11:29 Thursday, April 25, 2002