A MOTHER who rang the Inland Revenue to sort out her tax credit said she was greeted with "filthy" language.

Kathryn Lee, 41, of Grosvenor Street, Hartlepool, said she was kept on hold on the tax credit helpline for at least 20 minutes. When she was put through, an operative pretended it was a chat line and gave several "disgusting" options for her to listen to.

Ms Lee pressed the redial button to check she had the correct number and heard a helpline recorded message.

The Inland Revenue has apologised and promised an investigation into the "unacceptable behaviour".