A LATE-NIGHT cold call scheme launched by Tendring Council will be investigated after council chiefs admitted it could cause distress for elderly residents.

The council has been carrying out a scheme to make sure people claiming a 25 per cent council tax discount for living alone are eligible.

A team has been calling the 23,000 claimants across the district between 6-9pm to quiz them on their living arrangements.

But some residents have mistaken the late-night calls for scammers or would-be burglars casing the property and the scheme will now be investigated after complaints were made.