THE campaign to put doorstep rogues out of business has taken on fresh impetus with the creation of No Cold Calling zones.

Trading standards chiefs in North Yorkshire - one of the leaders of the campaign, spearheaded by The Northern Echo - are working with police to set up zones across the county.

The idea is to help protect householders from doorstep crime by making it clear that cold-calling salesmen will not be tolerated.

Where residents in an area are in full agreement, the trading standards service will create zones in which doorstep callers will know they are not wanted.

The project is being piloted in Great Ayton, near Middlesbrough, and has the backing of Hambleton Community Safety Partnership, which is keen to see the scheme repeated in other areas.

Stokesley and Pickering are anxious to follow suit - and trading standards staff are already working with local police and community safety partners to get those zones up and running.

Former policeman John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for community services, said: "We believe No Cold Calling Zones will send a clear signal to these people that they are not welcome in the area."

Community safety officer Sergeant Matt France said: "In the past year we have seen burglaries drop 30 per cent in Hambleton and we believe this is due in part to schemes like the Doorstoppers campaign."

Areas keen to set up a zone cab call (01609) 768654.