POLICE have issued a warning over a trickster who rings home-owners up claiming they have won vouchers from supermarket chain Safeway.

A number of complaints have been received by police in Darlington from members of the public who have gone to collect the vouchers, only to find they do not exist.

Police fear that the calls may be a ploy to get people out of their houses, so that they can be burgled.

Acting Inspector Paul Robinson, of Darlington police, said: "We have spoken to the manager of Safeway, in Darlington, and no such voucher promotion exists.

"Anyone getting a call like this, claiming they have won something, should make sure it is verified before they take things any further.