A MAN who a former nurse reported as following her has been identified as a highways worker.

The man, who Helen Lymbery of East Meon near Petersfield thought was acting suspiciously, was looking out for potholes for Hampshire County Council, the authority has confirmed to police.

Dressed in jeans and a hooded jacket, he didn’t appear to be wearing anything official from the council though. Helen plans to bring this up with the authorities, among other complaints.

She held on for an hour during and after her walk with her dog Duke on December 18, while trying to get through on a police switchboard number. But a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said the 101 number should be used for non-emergency incidents and 999 for emergencies.

A police community support officer was also contacted by Helen (50) and didn’t respond for three days. The officer was off duty, police have said.