A COUNCIL is warning residents and tenants to beware of bogus callers making doorstep offers of free insulation.

Chester-le-Street District Council, in partnership with Scottish Power, operates an insulation scheme offering a grant of up to £450, plus VAT, towards cavity wall and loft insulation.

The scheme operates under the banner of Warm and Healthy Homes, or the Cosy scheme.

Private residents, including those in rented accommodation, aged 60 and over, or who have children aged five and under, qualify for the scheme.

It operates in association with three contractors, NR Insulation Services, Grosvenor Insulation and Miller Pattison.

Surveyors for the companies are operating in the area and are likely to call at private properties.

Callers from these legitimate surveyors will be carrying positive identification with them, as well as an official letter from the council detailing the scheme.

Only letters on full-colour council letterheads are genuine and it is vital residents ask for identification.

People uncertain of a door-knocker's identity, are urged to refuse entry and contact the council.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of either Warm and Healthy Homes or the Cosy scheme, or seeking to verify the identity of a canvasser, can contact the council's freephone number, 0800 096 4586.

The Northern Echo launched its Doorstoppers campaign in 2003 seeking legislation to end door-to-door cold calling by companies supposedly offering property repairs.

The legislation would make it a criminal offence for cowboy builders and other rogue callers to turn up at a house unannounced.

The Doorstoppers campaign already has the support of police, trading standards officials across the North-East and the Federation of Master Builders.