PORNOGRAPHIC video catalogues have been posted to unsuspecting residents.

Last November trading standards investigated a random mailshot by Continental Videos, based in Amsterdam, after complaints from people who received brochures containing explicit pictures.

Now another company from the Dutch capital, Simply the Best, is advertising mail order porn videos and DVDs in catalogues which have been sent to homes in the county. It is thought they were distributed by a depot in London to addresses on a commercially-available mailing list.

An 82-year-old widower in Durham said he had received both mailshots.

He said: "My grandchildren often come to my house. Can you imagine if they got hold of this? It's not the sort of thing I would like them to learn from."

Another recipient, who lives in Chester-le-Street, said: "I wonder where they got my address from as I have had no dealings with firms like these."

Durham County Council has launched an investigation.

A spokeswoman said: "We have received complaints from people in the county who have received this catalogue.

"It is illegal to distribute publications like this and if anyone receives the magazine they should get in touch with us on (0191) 383 3589."