HUNDREDS of people throughout the North-East were woken in the early hours today (Thursday, January 9) by an automated call about a Government solar panel deal.

Word of the unwanted calls spread on Twitter, with many recipients complaining they had been woken to think they were getting bad news.

The calls from an unidentified company - made from just after midnight to about 5am - were promoting a Government scheme to install solar panels.

Ian McClelland of Houghton-le-Spring, on Wearside, said: “We got a call at 12.30am. Our first thought was that it was bad news.

“But when I picked up the receiver no one answered. It sounded like one of the thousands of cold calls we get. They are voice-activated, so I did not answer.”

“When I saw tweets this morning I thought it made sense.”

Another recipient, who did not wish to be named, said: “We were fast asleep when the phone went. I thought it was there had been accident or someone had died.

“By the time we got to it we rang off. We did a 1471 and it was obviously a call centre. It’s bloody annoying.”

Craig Hudson, Durham County Council’s fair trading manager, said: “We have no record of any complaints about telemarketing calls received during last night.

“We would advise anyone who is concerned about unwanted sales or marketing calls to register with the Telephone Preference Service.

“The service is free to join and it is a legal requirement that people registered with the service do not receive unsolicited sales calls.

“Anyone who continues to receive unwanted sales calls should contact the company responsible.

“If this fails, they can contact ... the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if the calls are from a real person.

“These organisations are responsible for ensuring companies operate responsibly.”

To register with the Telephone Preference Service call 0845-070-0707 or visit www.tpsonline.org.uk.