HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be on their guard after an elderly couple fell victim to a solar heating scam.

Trading standards officials believe that unscrupulous salesmen may be cashing in on fears about rising prices for gas and electricity as the first cold snap of the winter continues to bite.

The elderly couple, from Malton, were approached by a salesman who made claims about the possible savings that could result from the fitting of solar panels.

He said the panels would reduce their bill for heating oil to virtually nothing, and claimed they would be able to run both their domestic water and central heating from the system.

The salesman called at their invitation, following a mail shot, so the normal protection of cancelling the contract following unsolicited calls was not applicable.

The couple, who are looked after by carers, paid for the panels to be installed.

Trading standards officers said that, although they have not yet had the system checked by experts, they are certain it will not run the central heating.

A spokesman for the trading standards department in North Yorkshire said householders should protect themselves by getting quotes from local, reputable traders and not engage the first person who offers to provide a service.

Councillor John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for community services, said: "Unfortunately, when faced with the salesmen's claims of prospective savings of hundreds of pounds, even the most sensible of us may be taken in.

"Usually, a sophisticated sales talk means that you are buying goods that are overpriced and not as good as those that could be supplied by a local, reputable firm.

"Also, with a local firm you always have somewhere to go back to if things go wrong."

Trading standards officers have asked anyone who has specifically responded to a mail shot for solar panels, or who is unsure about a general business offering its products and services in their area, to contact Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506.