TRADING standards officers have warned householders to be on their guard against the "cold call" tactics of some unscrupulous doorstep salesmen.

They have issued advice after growing numbers of calls from concerned people who fear elderly relatives may have been targeted by over-zealous sales reps.

Michael Welsh, Hartlepool Council's principal Trading Standards officer, said: "Some consumers are not being provided with documentation setting out their cancellation rights.

"In other cases, when a consumer tries to cancel they are told that they cannot because the order has been processed, or a document signed to acknowledge that a sales rep has called turns out to be a contract.

"I would urge people with elderly relatives or neighbours to speak to them about cold callers. They should be told not to agree any contract with a trader until another person is present, so that they can make an informed decision.

"I would also advise householders to shop around and make a decision on a particular product at a later date, having checked out a range of suppliers and prices. This way they cannot be rushed into making a decision."

Trading Standards officers are advising that anyone who signed a contract at home, which was covered by a seven-day cooling off period, should cancel immediately if they have a change of heart.

Any resident with concerns about a recently completed transaction or cold callers generally can contact their nearest Trading Standards team. The Hartlepool team are on (01429) 523362.