COMMUNITY theatre groups are needed to play a leading role in protecting older people from bogus callers.

Trading Standards officials from Durham County Council are seeking groups to produce and deliver a series of sketches to highlight the dangers posed by cowboy traders and bogus callers.

The aim is to give older people the skills to deal firmly and politely with unexpected callers.

Now they are looking for people in amateur drama or community theatre groups to help them get the show on the road.

Phillip Holman, the council's head of Trading Standards, said: "We carried out a survey at the end of last year which showed that the overwhelming majority of people in the county did not want doorstep sellers calling at their homes.

"A considerable percentage of those who responded said they had had a bad experience with doorstep sellers."

Councillor Don Ross, deputy leader of the council, said: "We hope that amateur dramatic and theatre groups will be interested in helping us to deliver important messages about doorstep sellers to older people."

Anyone involved in community theatre or drama societies in the Derwentside, Easington or Teesdale areas who is interested in helping with the sketches can call Craig Hudson on 0191-383 3707.