PEOPLE are being warned to be aware of tradesman calling at their door unannounced.

There are suspicions that a group is operating near Worcester and trading standards officers have warned homeowners to think before engaging the services of cold-callers.

People who knock on doors unannounced could be offering to trim trees, resurface driveways or replace fascias for reasonably quoted prices.

However, because of the informal nature of any agreements made, residents do not have the same rights as customers who make deals with registered traders because they have no way of ensuring they get the service they want at the price they agreed.

Trading Standards advice and education manager Alison Cornelius said: "As we head into the summer, more and more people are tempted to agree to this kind of work as they spend more time outside. Engaging businesses in this way is full of risks and if residents were unhappy with the service they receive, there would be little we could do about it.

"We've already been receiving reports within the last month in the West Midlands of cold callers arriving and carrying out work on driveways, fascias and roofing and, after having quoted a price, demanding more money when they complete."

Anyone wanting to find a reputable builder, roofer, plumber, or electrician should check Worcestershire County Council's trader register. Although it is not an approval scheme, those included on the register have to sign up to Trading Standards' Code of Practice.

For more information call trading standards on 01905 765394.