HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to turn away companies that cold-call at their door offering to buy valuable possessions.

The callers offer to buy items such as antiques and jewellery.

The warning, from trading standards officials at North Yorkshire County Council, follows reports of several such traders operating in the county, particularly in the Thirsk and Scarborough areas.

The great fear is that in the run up to Christmas - when people are looking for extra income - they might be tempted to consider parting with their valuables at the door.

The warning follows a prosecution by trading standards of a trader from the Portsmouth area who had been cold-calling at homes in North Yorkshire last year.

He had failed to register with trading standards as a second-hand dealer - and was also found to be using an unstamped scale for the purposes of weighing and valuing jewellery.

Carl Les, North Yorkshire's executive member for trading standards, said yesterday: "Anyone considering selling antiques or other valuables should seek a number of written valuations from local, reputable, traders before deciding whether to sell."

And the head of trading standards, Graham Venn, said: "Our concern is that cold-callers of this nature may be gathering information about householders and items of value in their homes. This information could potentially be passed on to others.

"In addition, we are concerned about consumers being encouraged to sell valuable items at reduced prices, not realising their true value."

Anyone who has received a visit from such traders, or any other trader knocking at the door offering to buy or sell goods or services, is urged to refuse and report the incident to trading standards through the Doorstep Crime Hotline, on 0845 3303313.

The Northern Echo and North Yorkshire County Council are among those leading Doorstoppers, a campaign for legislation to stamp out cold calling.