CASH-conscious buyers in search of a good and safe secondhand bargain are being offered peace of mind thanks to a trading standards initiative.

Secondhand dealers across North Yorkshire will now be able to guarantee the safety of items which they sell.

The move is part of a business support package that has been put together by the North of England Trading Standards Services Group.

They include advice on safety for various types of products, simple checklists and safety "passed" stickers, which are being distributed free of charge by trading standards officers to dealers throughout the area.

North Yorkshire County Council executive member John Dennis said yesterday: "Sellers of secondhand goods are both an important and significant trade sector in this area. We want to encourage and support dealers, but at the same time it is vital that goods are always safe.

"Just because something is sold at a cheap price, it is no excuse for compromising safety.

"That is the law, and I hope that this new initiative will benefit both buyers and sellers."

Trading standards officer Dave Sayer said many secondhand dealers had the difficulty of having to provide similar levels of safety to High Street shops, but without their resources. Many of their customers were people who could not afford to buy some of the products as new.

"By providing these packs we can help them raise standards without having to go to great costs," said Mr Sayer.

Officials believe the new packs will be eagerly used by traders across the county and those that have already received their packs have reacted positively.

One, Julie Cornforth Bew, of Peter's Electrical Centre and Westgarth Furniture, in Northallerton, said: "Like all responsible dealers of secondhand goods we go to great lengths to make certain the goods we supply are safe.

"This new initiative by North Yorkshire Trading Standards will assist us in this process, and at the same time ensure that the public are better informed."