TRADING STANDARDS officers are warning people across the region to think twice about buying "leather-look" three-piece suites from the backs of vans.

They said that poor quality cream-coloured suites wrap-ped in thick plastic are often sold from unmarked white vans across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The furniture has also been advertised in local newspapers and sold through auctions, but many of the suites fail to meet British safety standards and are falsely described as leather.

Often unsuspecting purchasers are not given the chance to examine the suites before they buy, and only when the van has left does the purchaser discover they have bought a cheap poor-quality suite.

In the past, such suites have been sold for between £200 and £500. But when receipts have been given, the company details were sometimes fictitious and suppliers untraceable.

North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for trading standards, Carl Les, said: "Again we are seeing unsuspecting people being targeted by doorstep salesmen.

"We are strongly urging consumers not to bring this potentially dangerous furniture into their home."

In North Yorkshire, numerous prosecutions and complaints have been followed up and have resulted in hundreds of items being seized because of the concerns over their safety.

A trading standards spokesman said: "In the majority of cases, furniture which has been tested has failed to meet the appropriate safety levels.

"Selling unsafe, mis-described furniture is yet another example of doorstep crime.

"The severity of this activity is reflected in the fines and costs imposed on these door-to-door traders. One trader in North Yorkshire was fined more than £3,500 and the same again in court costs."

If residents are offered goods or services at their doors, they are urged to call 0845 330 3313.

Last year, The Northern Echo launched its Doorstoppers campaign, backed by trading standards officials, aimed at stopping doorstep conmen.

It has won widespread support, and last month the Government confirmed it was to crack down on door-to-door salespeople.