A MAN has been arrested during a probe into a controversial mail shot sent to tens of thousands of North Yorkshire households.

The arrest was made at a Buckinghamshire address last Thursday as county trading standards officers investigated allegations of offences under the Trades Descriptions Act, Consumer Protection Act and Theft Act.

Spokesman Richard Flinton said today that the man was questioned and then released on bail, to appear at a later date at Northallerton police station for further questioning.

The investigation was launched after householders in the north of the county were sent letters last week from Disbursement Claims of High Wycombe, telling them they had won a great prize - but they had to spend up to £6 on a £1-a-minute premium rate telephone call to find what it was.

The Royal Mail has revealed that about 50,000 households in the York area were also sent the letter last week.

A spokesman said it was been duty bound to deliver mail that had been correctly addressed, regardless of the sealed contents.

Hundreds of people have complained to the Evening Press that the letters led them to believe they had a good chance of winning a big cash prize or TV.

In fact, the promotion organisers Ashford Promotions say there is only a one in 9,000 chance winning such a prize, with everyone else getting a "lifetime personal telephone number and answerphone service."

But a Leeds man who won the telephone number last October, Michael Grant of Harehills, told the Evening Press today that he is still waiting for his gift, more than three months later.

Ashford has told the Evening Press that York winners will get their prizes, hopefully within less than 28 days.

Trading standards officers have issued warnings about the offer, and telephone premium rate watchdog ICSTIS has been trying since last Wednesday to pull the plug on the line - but so far without success.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.