HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged not to succumb to high- pressure salesmen who have been operating in part of the North.

Two companies have been operating in North Yorkshire's Harrogate district recently, says the local Community Safety Partnership.

One has been offering overpriced electronic wireless security systems, while another has been offering to resurface driveways with surplus Tarmac.

Some households have been caught out by offers of cheap Tarmac, only to find the cost spiralling out of control - to more than £4,000 in one case.

And both firms have been making claims that they are working for the borough council.

Crime reduction officer Robin Davies said: "If a door salesman tells you that they are working for the council, beware, because this will be a bogus claim.

"The only time that we would contact households in this way would be if we were doing some consultation work, and those people would carry accreditation from the council.

"Local authorities are prevented from actually carrying out work for anyone other than another local authority.

"The council does not have the authority to carry out work for individual homeowners."

He said that anyone approached who has doubts should contact the council or the police.