CORNWALL Trading Standards is sending out two warnings to residents this week following an increasing number of reports over the last month of 'dodgy' tradesmen offering home maintenance and gardening work and intelligence about pushy salesmen.

The recent reports suggest that vehicles purporting to be from the council are offering to re-surface driveways with left over tarmac.

Leanne McLean, lead officer for doorstep crime, said: 'Our message couldn't be simpler. Do not buy anything from anyone on your doorstep. Genuine traders do not need to go door-to-door touting for work. Anyone knocking on your door offering you something, no matter how good it sounds, is more than likely up to no good.

'Cornwall Council or its contractors would never allow staff to offer left over tarmac to residents. Anyone stating otherwise is clearly not a genuine trader.'

The other warning relates to home mobility sellers with recent intelligence suggesting that large national firms are using aggressive sales tactics to sell mobility items, such as reclining chairs, to residents.

Customers are 'bamboozled' into agreeing to purchase items at hugely inflated prices and are not being allowed to cancel their contracts.

Leanne McLean added: 'These companies prey on the vulnerable, often spending hours in their homes persuading them that they need mobility equipment at inflated prices.

'The companies appear legitimate in every way and are often not reported to us, as victims often believe they are acting within the law. They are not. Pushy and aggressive sales tactics are a criminal offence which Trading Standards take very seriously.'

If you, or someone you know, has fallen victim to rogue traders, or if you have any intelligence relating to incidents, please contact Trading Standards via the Citizens' Advice Consumer Service.