CONSUMER watchdogs are urging residents to be vigilant if cold-callers offer to provide loft insulation.

Hartlepool Trading Standards team is investigating reports that some residents have signed up with a company to have loft insulation or cavity wall insulation fitted, in the mistaken belief that they were signing up for the Hartlepool Council-backed Hartwarmers Plus scheme.

In some cases, residents have been charged £100, whereas the Hartwarmers Plus scheme is free to eligible householders.

Trading standards officer Michael Welsh said: "It's not yet clear why those people believed they were signing up to Hartwarmers Plus, but we are concerned and are investigating. Don't be rushed into signing anything. A bona fide trader or organisation would never pressure you into taking a service or goods and will always be happy to allow you to check them out at your leisure. They should also give you a document stating that you have a seven-day cooling off period."

Hartwarmers Plus is run by Hartlepool Council to help homeowners and private tenants improve the energy efficiency of their homes. It offers free insulation - including loft insulation and cavity wall insulation - to householders aged 60 or over.

To find out more about Hartwarmers Plus, call (01429) 523993, or contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on freephone 0800 512 012.

Trading Standards can be contacted on (01429) 523362.