PEOPLE buying Christmas gifts via the Internet, telephone or mail order, are being advised about their legal rights in a Darlington council initiative.

Laws have been introduced to protect people from being overcharged or sent the wrong goods, and Darlington Borough Council's trading standards department has produced leaflets to make sure residents know their rights.

The laws apply to most types of home shopping and give consumers the right to get clear information on traders, and goods and services they buy.

They include a seven-day cooling off period during which time shoppers can cancel any purchase agreement.

For the first time, the new laws provide some protection against credit card fraud, with consumers no longer being liable for the first £50 of transactions.

Leaflets covering the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 are available at the town's main library, as well as at the council's trading standards office, in 11 Houndgate, Darlington.

If people have any queries, they can contact the council's trading standards department on (01325) 388582.