A warning is being given about doorstep callers who drop leaflets through the door, then call back later to offer repairs.

The warning is part of The Northern Echo's Doorsteppers campaign, which was launched last month to try to stamp out the menace of bogus doorstep callers.

A number of complaints have been made to North Yorkshire County Council's Trading Standards department about a company which is cold-calling in the Scarborough area, offering damp proofing to people's homes.

A series of similar complaints have been investigated over recent months where unnecessary, shoddy and overpriced work has been carried out.

Trading standards officials said that companies operating in this way often only carry out cursory checks and frequently claim damp is present and that urgent work is required.

Officers are advising people who think they may have a damp problem to seek expert advice from a local builder or damp- proofing specialist.

They should get at least three written quotations before deciding on a contractor.

Councillor Carl Les, the county council's executive member for trading standards, said: "Residents should never deal with any cold callers, no matter what they are selling, especially as these types of traders often tend not to give accurate addresses or contact details where they can be contacted once work has been completed."

Anyone who has worries about recent work carried out following a cold-call or who wants to report tradesmen cold-calling can telephone 0845 3303313 to report their concerns.