HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to beware of cowboy builders who knock on doors offering to carry out work.

Council officers in Hartlepool are keen to prevent a repeat of last year when they were left with a £10,000 bill to clean up tonnes of concrete and other rubbish after it was dumped on land at the junction of Belle Vue Way and Brenda Road in the town. The rubble was believed to be the result block-paved driveways at up to 50 properties.

A spokesman from Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We would urge householders to think very carefully before agreeing to have work done, particularly block-paving on their driveways, if they receive unsolicited approaches. If anyone receives such an approach, they should always ask to see a registration certificate before agreeing to anything.

"These certificates are issued by the Environment Agency and anyone transporting waste must have one by law.

"Householders should also seek assurances that tradesmen knocking on their doors come from reputable companies, as work carried out can often fail to reach the required standards and people can find themselves left seriously out of pocket.

"We are not saying everyone who makes an unsolicited approach for business should not be trusted, but we would urge householders to exercise caution."