COUNCILLORS have joined customers in calling for a discount electrical store to be closed down after several complaints about its trading practices.

The store, which has no name, operates from the former BT shop in Northgate, Darlington, and has been open for more than two weeks.

It claims to offer so-called bargains including men's shavers for £3 and mobile phones for under £20.

But, despite customers' complaining that they have not received what they paid for, Darlington Borough Council's trading standards department and police say they are powerless to act.

The Northern Echo has already reported that the sales appear to breach the Mock Auctions Act of 1961, which protects customers from illegal trading.

The shop has also been visited by police and trading standards officers, who handed leaflets to queuing customers urging them not to go inside.

A number of Darlington borough councillors have now also raised questions over its continued trading.

Councillor Stephen Jones said: "The council and police need to look at introducing a by-law to stop places like these. I thought these places only existed in Blackpool, they shouldn't be in the middle of Darlington."

Coun Veronica Copeland said: "I'm surprised it still gets the trade it does. When we are dealing with electrical goods, consumer protection is even more important."

Coun Ian Haszeldine said: "I would support any efforts to close the place down. Residents should be very wary."

Chris Snowdon, from Darlington, wrote to trading standards complaining about the shop, but was told there was nothing they could do.

Another customer, who asked not to be named, spent £90 expecting to receive electrical goods. Instead, he says, he received five watches, valued at about £15.

"As far as I'm concerned, the sooner that shop gets closed down, the better," he said.

Inspector Sue Collingwood, from Darlington Police, said dealing with the shop was more a matter for trading standards officers than police.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We are aware that the shop is still operating and we are monitoring it. We can't act unless they are operating illegally, and to our knowledge this is not the case."

Anyone with a complaint about the shop is urged to contact Darlington Trading Standards on (01325) 388799.