RESIDENTS are being warned to be on their guard against cowboy builders who cold-call on homes seeking work.

Council officials in Hartlepool are keen to prevent a repeat of an incident two years ago when they were left with a £10,000 bill to clean up tonnes of concrete and rubbish dumped on open land in the town.

The rubble, which was left at the junction of Belle Vue Way and Brenda Road, was believed to have resulted from construction work to block pave the driveways of up to 50 properties across the town.

Brian Dinning, a senior enforcement officer in the council's trading standards team, said: "We would urge householders to think very carefully before agreeing to have work done, particularly block paving on their driveways, if they receive unsolicited approaches.

"If anyone receives such an approach, they should always ask to see a waste carrier's licence. These licences are issued by the Environment Agency and anyone transporting waste must have one by law."

He said people should check tradesmen were from reputable companies.