A KIDDERMINSTER couple have warned other people to be wary after they received a letter telling them they had won more than £355,000 on the Spanish national lottery.

Dianne and Tony Trahearn were surprised to hear of their apparent good fortune because they had never bought a ticket for the sweepstake.

The letter, which came from a Madrid-based company called Loteria Primitiva, stated that before the Linden Grove residents could collect the "funds" they had to submit their bank details.

A 10 per cent fee from their "winnings" would also be deducted to the Santa Lucia Security Company, which held the cash, on receipt of the money.

The Office of Fair Trading issued a warning about the firm last year after receiving dozens of complaints from people who had paid out more than £25,000.

In most reported cases, winners were asked for a processing fee and then various other payment demands were made without a penny ever being sent.

Mr Trahearn said he did not know how the company got his address but added the couple had had an increase in those types of letters after his wife took part in a street survey three years ago.

The 64-year-old explained: "I cannot be 100 per cent sure but this is not the first time we have had letters saying we have won something or offering us free things since my wife was stopped in Kidderminster town centre.

"It is worrying and I just want to let people know that this sort of thing is going on. The Government spends millions of taxpayers' money on other campaigns but they do not highlight this enough."

Charlotte Knowles, communications officer for Worcestershire County Council trading standards, warned: "The rule is that you are never given something for nothing.

"What usually happens is the company gets hold of a mailing list from an area then scans everyone on it. Wyre Forest could be its next target.

"The biggest shame is that the people who are usually the victims in these cases are the ones who cannot afford it the most."

West Mercia Police Constabulary spokeswoman, Lynne Masters, said they had not received any other reports of that nature but warned Wyre Forest residents never to give out bank details.

Anyone who believed they might have been targeted should contact Kidderminster police on 08457 444888 and trading standards' advice officer on 01905 765373.