TRADING standards chiefs have renewed warnings about "too good to be true" mail order offers promising foreign riches.

Pensioner Gwenville Rutherford, from Darlington, contacted The Northern Echo after receiving a letter posted from Australia, which promised a jackpot running into millions if she parted with £14 for entry into a lottery draw.

Reports have been received in the past of similar offers being sent to people in the region.

Trading standards manager Nigel Green, of Darlington Borough Council, said: "People should be very careful with things like this. Read the small print and you will often find that the chances of winning are very small. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is.