PENSIONERS are to be given lessons in how to avoid falling prey to bogus callers and dodgy tradesmen.

Sessions are planned on Teesside and in a County Durham market town to show the elderly the techniques needed to keep thieves and conmen at bay.

In Chester-le-Street, police are teaming up with the district council's careline staff and Age Concern to deliver the message at free sessions throughout the district.

In Middlesbrough, police and Teesside University students will provide advice to pensioners next Wednesday, between 10am and 2pm, at the university's Clarendon Building.

Both projects will feature the Beware the Bogeyman video, which features role-play designed to show the elderly how to thwart criminals on their doorstep.

Detective Sergeant Greg Swinnerton, of Cleveland Police, said: "The most common distraction burglary is still caused by someone posing as a representative for the water board, or gas or electricity supplier.

"Our message here is to always ask for an identity card and then call the company - but from a number in the phone book, not from a number on the ID card.''

PC Graeme Davison, crime prevention officer for the district, said many pensioners never thought they would fall prey to a bogus caller.

By working with Careline staff and Age Concern he hoped to attract more people to the Chester-le-Street sessions, which will be held over three weeks and will also deal with dodgy salesman and rogue tradesmen who overcharge for work that often is not done.

"The bogus caller offence will always be there. People can have as many locks on the door as they like, but as soon as they get conned into letting people in, it's game over.''

The Chester-le-Street and Middlesbrough sessions are free. Places for Middlesbrough, which includes a buffet lunch, must be booked by calling Jayne Villiers on (01462) 384 280.

The Chester-le-Street sessions are: Monday, June 13, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Ouston Community Centre; Tuesday, June 14, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Chester-le-Street Parish Centre; Wednesday, June 15, 2pm to 4pm, Sacriston Community Centre; Thursday, June 16, 11am to 1pm, Pelton Community Centre; Friday, June 17, 10am to noon, Pelton Fell Village Hall.

Monday, June 20, 10am to noon, Holyoake, South Pelaw; Tuesday, June 21, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Bullion Hall, Chester-le-Street; Wednesday, June 22, 10am to noon, Communal Room, Front Street, Perkinsville; Thursday, June 23, 10am to noon, Chester-le-Street Civic Centre; Friday, June 24, 10am to noon, Great Lumley Community Centre.

Monday, June 27, 2pm to 4pm, Grange Villa Community Centre; Tuesday, June 28, 10am to noon, Communal Room, Lambourne Close, Bournmoor; Wednesday, June 29, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Communal Room, Edenfield, West Pelton.

Refreshments will be served and transport may be available for anyone with difficulties getting to a session.

For more information, call PC Davison on 0191-375 2354, Careline on 0191-388 7588, or Age Concern on 0191-371 8601.

* The Northern Echo launched its Doorstepper campaign against doorstep crime last year.