AN alert passer-by thwarted three conmen posing as council workers.

The men tried to obtain £200 from the resident, in Billingham, Teesside, after convincing him they were council staff looking for extra work.

After building a dropped footpath crossing outside his home, they pressurised the man for cash, even though he wasn't happy with the work.

But the passing technician, a genuine council employee of Stockton Borough Council, noticed the three men dressed as council workers and decided to investigate.

As a result of the technician's intervention the three bogus workers left empty-handed.

The incident comes after a council call for all owners of food premises in Stockton to be aware of bogus telephone calls after a restaurant owner in the town received a call from someone posing as an environmental health officer.

The proprietor of Charlie's Chinese Restaurant, in Church Road, received a bogus call telling him his premises were dirty and that if they were not cleaned immediately they would be visited and closed down.

Environmental health officers for Stockton Council said that restaurant owners should check the identity of anyone who visits their premises and if in doubt they should call (01642) 526574.

* The Northern Echo launched its Doorstoppers campaign to raise awareness of bogus callers and door-to-door tradesmen.