COMPLAINTS about door-step sellers shot up by almost 200 per cent in one part of the region during the past year, it was revealed yesterday.

Property repairs, maintenance and services were the biggest problem, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the complaints.

And, worryingly, a high number of the consumers who were targeted were elderly people, with pensioners making up more than half of the victims.

The shock statistics from North Yorkshire were announced as the Doorstoppers campaign, spearheaded by The Northern Echo, continues to gain momemtum.

Backed by trading standards officials, police and local authorities, the campaign aims to stamp out the scourge of doorstep selling and has already been taken up in parliament.

A special telephone helpline run by trading standards in North Yorkshire received almost 300 doorstep-selling complaints last year compared to just over 100 previously.

And a new rapid response service has now been introduced to help consumers, particularly older and vulnerable adults, who have been targeted by these rogue traders.

On receiving a complaint where the trader is on site, officers attend immediately so as to assess the work and protect the householder.

Trading standards officers are particularly concerned about the high number of older consumers falling victim to doorstep criminals. Of the people giving their ages when calling the helpline, more than half were pensioners.

The Doorststoppers campaign was launched after a survey in North Yorkshire revealed that almost 98 per cent of people did not want such people calling at their homes.

And yesterday the county's executive member for trading standards, Carl Les, said the new figures clearly showed that a real problem existed.

"They also support our call for legislation to ban the cold calling of property repairs and maintenance," he said.

"It is difficult to say whether this increase is due to a rise in criminal activity or greater awareness and reporting by the public - I sincerely hope that it is the latter.

"We know that calls to our helpline account for only a fraction of the real problem. Estimates suggest this could be as few as one in 50. I would urge any resident who has a problem with doorstep sellers to call the helpline immediately on 0845 330 3313.