Annette Collins, 45A MOTHER-OF-SIX broke down in tears after a finance company worker accidentally left a message on her mobile phone branding her ugly.

Annette Collins, 45, was left humiliated after hearing an employee from Trowbridge-based Welcome Financial Services label her ugly in a remark to a colleague, not realising he was connected to her answerphone.

Mrs Collins of Shearman Street, Trowbridge, said: "I was in such a state. I just couldn't believe what had happened.

"I felt really humiliated and upset. I phoned their Swindon office and could hardly talk because I couldn't stop sobbing.

"The awful thing is that, about eight months ago, I stopped taking medication for depression and when I got home I just wanted to reach for the Prozac.

"I am not under any illusions, I don't think I am beautiful I just think I am ordinary. To hear someone actually say you are ugly is quite a shock. It has really shaken my confidence."

In the message the worker was asked who he had been talking to by a female colleague, and replied, "Annette Collins who, by the way, is quite ugly."

Mrs Collins had a previous message from the same worker to do with a car loan she took out, and believes he inadvertently pressed the redial button, recording his informal chat.

Mrs Collins, a packer at Trowbridge food firm apetito, borrowed just under £5,000 from Welcome Financial Services 18 months ago to buy a Citreon Saxo.

When she spoke to the firm's Swindon office she was told the worker involved had been very upset by the incident.

She said: "That just made it worse. If he is very upset how does he think I feel? He is just upset because he had been found out, if he hadn't been he wouldn't be upset about it.

"I just find it ironic they call themselves Welcome Finance then come out with something like this."

A spokesman for Welcome Financial Services, which has a branch in the Stone Mills complex next to The Shires precinct, said: "We treat all allegations of this nature very seriously and will be investigating fully.

"We are very sorry that Mrs Collins has experienced distress, and are still waiting to establish the facts."

Mrs Collins has lodged an official complaint with the firm and is considering seeking legal advice.

"I just don't want this to happen to anyone else, because it has been absolutely awful," she said.