RESIDENTS in Sedgefield borough are being urged to be extra careful when allowing people into their homes.

A bogus company is operating in the area and has already tried to make appointments by telephone to visit properties in the Ferryhill and West Cornforth areas, Sedgefield Borough Council warned last night.

The firm was using the excuse of checking brickwork, wall cavities and damp proof courses "on behalf of the council", said an authority spokesman.

The calls are not just being made to council tenants, but also to owner occupiers and private tenants.

The spokesman said: "Residents are always informed by letter whenever survey work of this nature is to be carried out.

"They are told who the company is, when they are likely to call and who to contact at the borough council should they have any concerns.

"All borough council employees carry an identification badge, which should be shown at every visit."

The spokesman said: "Any suspicious calls or visits should be reported to the council or to the police, who will act to stop the activities of these people.

"In the meantime," he said, "we urge all of the borough's residents to request identification before allowing anyone into their home.

"Our advice is very simple, if there is any doubt about a caller, residents should not allow them to enter their homes."

The borough council can be contacted on (01388) 816166, while Sedgefield division police are on (01325) 314401.