A TOWN mayor has thanked members of the community for their support and kindness after hackers took control of his emails and claimed he was gravely ill.

Buckley mayor cllr David Ellis said he was on his way to work earlier this week when he was made aware his email security had been compromised.

He told a meeting of Buckley Town Council that someone had written to many of his contacts under his name to tell them he was ill in another country and that when reading on his contacts were asked to send money to him.

Cllr Ellis told the Leader he has been snowed under with calls from well-wishers enquiring about his health, but he reiterated the claims in the emails are false and warned members of the community to be vigilant when it comes to passwords and online security.

He said: "I was told someone had received an email from me and they said they thought I had been hacked and needed to take immediate action.

"They were saying I was gravely ill and once you got into it they were asking for money, saying I was in some far flung place in the world.

"There were people who genuinely thought I was in trouble. My phone has not stopped, everyone was looking to help.

"It shows that there is a good community spirit alive in Buckley and I would like to thank residents and friends for enquiring after me but I want to warn people to be vigilant as well."

Mayoress cllr Carol Ellis warned people to check with the sender of any emails which seem suspicious or out of character.

She added: "I have been quite touched by the amount of people who have got in touch to find out if he is ok. It has been amazing."

To find out more about fraud and cyber crime advice, visit the UK's national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre at www.actionfraud.police.uk