A VALE woman who received a mock police file about a TV serial killer targeting people with her name has demanded an apology.

Penny Dunkley, aged 50, from Clevedon Green, South Littleton, was sent the promotional pack for Channel Five's CSI:NY show last Friday, despite never watching the programme.

The file contained graphic scenes of crime photos, and a psychological profile claiming the 'killer' has an 'obsession with individuals named Penny Dunkley'.

The authentic-looking file, complete with coffee stains and Biro marks, also included bloodstained fabric in an evidence bag and newspaper cuttings detailing how previous victims were killed.

The file and envelope it was sent in carried a small image of Five's logo, and the envelope also warned of the graphic contents.

Mrs Dunkley, who suffers from high blood pressure, said: "The file looked quite interesting at first, but when I read it closer and realised one of the victims had the same name as me it made me shiver. I was shocked and horrified - what if this had been sent to an elderly person. It's really creepy.

"I e-mailed Five and told them it was bang out of order - I don't even watch the programme. I felt fairly squeamish looking at the pictures and wouldn't show my partner's teenage daughter because they were too disgusting. A lot of work has gone into this but I think it's in extremely bad taste and an apology would be appropriate."

The Advertising Standards Authority is investigating the matter after receiving 143 complaints about the promotion. Spokeswoman Donna Mitchell added: "In the meantime we have asked Five not to send out anything further. We expect the investigation to be concluded within the next couple of weeks."

Five spokeswoman Angela Braid said: "CSI:NY is a gritty, cutting edge US drama and Five believes the marketing of the series should honestly reflect that. In light of efforts we have made to make the nature of the contents so transparent we are surprised a very small minority of recipients have mistaken it for anything else."

She added people sent the promotional packs had previously expressed interest, through various websites, about receiving information on similar programmes. Some recipients have also contacted the station praising the campaign's 'originality and imagination'.