HOUSEHOLDERS have been put on alert after a pensioner paid £500 for illegal work at his North-East home.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has condemned the workers who persuaded 82-year-old Thomas Shaw to have his drive concreted - then took him to the bank to withdraw money for the bill.

Mr Shaw, who lives alone in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, wants his experience to act as a warning to others, while the council said it could have cost the resident a second bill as the work was carried out without permission.

Mr Shaw said: "This gang of men turned up offering to carry out work at the front of the house and to remove the kerb, so there'd be a gap for vehicle access over the footpath. As soon as it was done, I wasn't happy.

"Now I just feel annoyed and tricked and want to warn others about not being fooled."

The council's cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Joyce Benbow, said: "Doorstep crime is a continuing problem. Our message to residents continues to be 'say no to unsolicited doorstep callers offering to carry out work on your property'."

The Northern Echo teamed up with councils and police two years ago to launch the Doorstoppers campaign to highlight the problems of cold- calling.

The illegal work at Mr Shaw's house was spotted by one of the council's highways inspectors on a routine tour of the area.

Now the council's principal engineer, Mike Richardson, is warning residents of the additional problems it can create.

He said: "In this instance, because of the circumstances, we will not be taking any action, but I have to report that it is an offence for anyone to carry out work on adopted roads and footpaths without the council's permission.

"Residents should be aware that they could be responsible for any costs that the council incurs in rectifying the unauthorised work if they have agreed for it to be done."