TELEVISION presenter Wendy Gibson has been disciplined by BBC bosses for appearing in an unauthorised video.

The Look North news programme host fronts the 15-minute tape, called The Way Forward, which promotes council houses being transferred into private ownership.

Following complaints from at least one critic of the controversial sell-off, Ms Gibson received a rebuke from bosses who felt it was "wholly inappropriate" for her to appear on the video.

The Northern Echo understands an internal inquiry was launched after Ms Gibson's boss, Andrew Lambert, was told about the video, of which he had no knowledge.

Mr Lambert involved the BBC's human resources consultant, and the contracts department in Manchester, and Ms Gibson - who works for the corporation on a freelance basis - was given a warning.

More than 8,000 copies of the tape were made and distributed to every council home in Hartlepool as part of a consultation exercise.

Tenants have until Friday to vote on whether they want Hartlepool Borough Council to transfer the ownership of their homes.

A new not-for-profit company called Housing Hartlepool is waiting for approval to buy the 8,100 houses for £4m, but opponents fear tenants' rights could be affected.

A council insider last night acknowledged Ms Gibson's appearance on the video could be seen as a potential conflict of interests.

An opponent to the sell-off said: "The video can be regarded as political and definitely promotes the idea of selling off the housing stock.

"There have already been public demonstrations against the transfer which have been covered by the media.

"It could lead to a conflict if the BBC was to cover a story about the opposition and Wendy Gibson had to present it after already appearing on a video promoting it."

A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC takes conflict of interest seriously and this matter has been dealt with appropriately.

"However, the BBC does not comment on internal procedures or its contractual relationship with either staff or freelancers."