PEOPLE are being warned to be on their guard against cowboy gardeners operating on Teesside

The advice comes from trading standards officers in Hartlepool, after an elderly couple in the Rift House area of the town parted with £100, only to end up with a half-finished, shoddy job.

The matter came to light when local councillors went on a walkabout of the area, along with police and anti-social behaviour officers.

Councillor Lillian Sutheran, chairman the Central Neighbourhood Forum, said she was shocked with what she and fellow ward councillor Stephen Belcher saw.

She said: "This is a crying shame. An elderly couple have been taken for a ride by unscrupulous individuals who obviously don't have a care in the world for other people. It is important that this underhand activity is highlighted to try and prevent other residents of the town suffering in a similar way."

Brian Dinning, from Hartlepool Borough Council's trading standards team, said: "Cowboy traders like this tend to prey on the vulnerable and elderly, because they know they are more likely to get away with it.

"Our advice is simple - do not deal with doorstep callers. Just politely tell them that you are not interested, no matter how good the offer might sound."

He advised people to use reputable companies and get more than one written quote for work.