A Norwich hospital has apologised after it sent a man a letter telling him he was pregnant.

Hilton Plettell, who lives in Birmingham, was warned he could be expecting twins in the letter he received from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The 50-year-old's only connection to the hospital is that he had to have his kidney stones removed there when he was taken ill while working in the area more than a decade ago.

Opening 'Dear Mr Plettell', the note also advised him: 'Please also attend with a full bladder, which is important for your planned ultrasound. An ultrasound scan is used to check the pregnancy, to determine how far pregnant you are, and sometimes it can show twins.'

The childless merchandising manager said: 'It came as a bit of a shock, I've shown the letter to quite a few friends and they can't believe it.

'I knew the letter was genuine. The date of birth, the National Insurance number and everything on there is correct. I'm just surprised they can send something like that.'

Attached to the letter was a sheet of stickers where it even specifies that Mr Pletell is 'male'. Since the unexpected news he has become the butt of all his mates' jokes – most of them ending with Mothercare in the punchline.

His partner of five years, Debbie Brennan, 49, said that he was quite a practical joker but that on this occasion he was left speechless.

Glynis Moore, head of midwifery at the N&N, said: 'We would like to thank Mr Plettell for bringing the letter to our attention and we have contacted him directly to apologise. We will also be taking the opportunity to look at how this obvious mistake occurred and improve our procedures in future.'

Have you had a bizarre letter from someone in authority? Contact Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk?