THE campaign against doorstep crime took another step forward yesterday with the creation of another "no cold-calling" zone.

The number of uninvited callers at Great Ayton, Pickering and Selby, in North Yorkshire, has fallen since the zones were created.

And now the Broadlea Park area of Easingwold has joined the scheme after consultation with locals.

The zone been set up by trading standards officers in partnership with police, to deter bogus callers and high-pressure salesmen.

It also has the backing of the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, which is keen to see the zone extended.

County councillor John Fort, a former police officer, said: "We believe that zones like this will send out a clear signal to those people who operate like this that they are not welcome in this area.

"Reputable traders can easily make contact by other means and can then be invited by the householders if they so wish. The cold-calling system puts undue pressure on householders by having someone knocking at their door, often at dusk, trying to get them to buy something or have work done."

To set up a no cold-calling zone, call trading standards on (01609) 768654.

The Northern Echo is campaigning against cold-callers and doorstep conmen with its Doorstoppers Campaign