ITINERANT traders are targeting older people in a scam which falsely promises swaps for better three-piece suites.

Durham County Council's Trading Standards service says the traders cold call offering to swap people's three-piece suite for a "better version" at a cost of £250.

But the replacement is often the property of the scam's previous victim and may be so old it is a fire hazard.

The scam came to light when an elderly person in the Newton Aycliffe area was targeted.

Trading Standards officers and police are investigating the incident with a view to taking action against the traders.

County council head of trading standards Phillip Holman said: "These people are preying on older and vulnerable residents. Not only are they denying them their statutory rights, but they are supplying items which could be a potential fire hazard.

"When items are sold in this way, people have a legal right to cancel the contract within seven working days and they should be given a notice of these rights.

"This is simply not happening in these cases.

"Furthermore, some of these replacement suites may be so old that they don't comply with current fire safety requirements for the covering or filling materials."

Anyone with information about traders operating in this way is asked to contact Durham County Council's Trading Standards service on 0845 330 3313.

The Northern Echo launched its Doorstoppers campaign in 2003 seeking legislation to end door-to-door cold calling by companies supposedly offering property repairs.

The legislation would make it a criminal offence for cowboy builders and other rogue callers to turn up at a house unannounced.

The Doorstoppers campaign already has the support of police, trading standards officials across the North-East and the Federation of Master Builders.

If in doubt, contact the police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.