A CALL from smooth-talking Nikki Fisher could prove costly, according to Redcar and Cleveland Council's trading standards team.

The unit is warning residents to ignore the woman and save themselves at least £5 in telephone charges.

Residents in the Skelton area have received calls from the woman, telling them they have won a prize and asking them to claim it by ringing an 0906 telephone number.

The call is an automated message and prizes are said to include televisions, computers, a trip to the Bahamas, a VW Beetle and £6,000 cash.

The company name given is often Jackpot Promotions, the call rate is £1.50 a minute and the average call time is also given.

But chief trading standards officer, Jeff Bell, said: I want the regulator, the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSSTIS), to close this operation down as soon as possible. And I want them to suspend any revenue from this scam and return it to its victims.

"ICSSTIS is already investigating companies from the Leeds and Cardiff areas whose messages have been fronted by the same Nikki Fisher.

"Don't be fooled into thinking you've won a fabulous prize from a draw you entered a year ago and forgot about."

Victims of the scam can register their complaint with ICSSTIS on freephone 0800 500 212.