THE campaign for a ban on doorstep cold-calling is gathering momentum in Westminster's corridors of power.

Calls for legislation to halt cowboy property repairs has won cross-party support following an adjournment debate in the House of Commons.

The Northern Echo is spearheading a campaign by trading standards, the police and local politicians to eradicate the scourge of doorstep crime by banning cold-calling outright.

The Minister for crime reduction, Hazel Blears, said that it was excellent to have these issues raised in the House and described doorstep crimes as shocking and despicable behaviour.

In a further move to raise the profile of the issue, the Trading Standards Institute has lobbied 19 of the 20 MPs selected to put forward private members bills to persuade them to take up the doorstep crime issue.

Paul Truswell, the Labour MP for Pudsey, has agreed to lead the campaign in Westminster on behalf of the North of England Trading Standards Group and partner authorities such as North Yorkshire County Council.

And an early day motion sponsored by Mr Truswell calling for legislation has, within the first two weeks, been signed by 55 MPs across all parties.

North Yorkshire county council's executive member for trading standards, Carl Les, said yesterday: "I am really encouraged by the response which this has had at Westminster.

"If we are going to make a difference then we really do need legislation and to get that, the interest and support of MPs is a priority." He added: "This is not a party political issue, we all must work together to protect the most vulnerable from doorstep criminals.

"I will be doing everything that I can to raise the profile of this issue and convince councillors and MPs that if we are serious about community safety, this legislation is vital.

"I will certainly be writing to all of the North Yorkshire MPs urging them to support this early day motion." .