BUSINESSES are being warned to be on their guard against firms cold-calling to gain sponsorship for school drug education packs.

David Uffindall, drug education consultant for the education service at North Yorkshire County Council, has already received one such a call and is aware of local businesses and schools who have become involved in the past.

Typically, the caller implies that their publication has the support of the police and education officials, before applying emotional pressure to secure a promise of sponsorship.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for education, said: "When the goods arrive at a school, sometimes without a school even knowing of their origin, disappointment abounds.

"The resources are often of poor quality, and sometimes the information in them is incorrect. The sponsor's detail is usually a typed, sticky label on the back cover."

Some of the firms responsible for these practices have been investigated by trading standards.

The firms do not have a website and rely solely on telephone orders. The only paperwork is usually an invoice issued some months after the original call.

Anyone who receives such a call is being asked to inform trading standards on 0845 330 3313.

* The Northern Echo's Doorstoppers campaign is working to stamp out bogus callers and door-to-door salespeople.