TWO warnings have been issued to residents by Cornwall Trading Standards this week following an increasing number of reports over the last month of dodgy tradesmen offering home maintenance and gardening work, and intelligence about pushy salesmen.

The recent reports suggest that vehicles purporting to be from Cornwall Council are offering to re-surface driveways with left-over tarmac.

Leanne McLean, lead officer for doorstep crime, said: 'Our message couldn't be simpler. Do not buy anything from anyone on your doorstep. Genuine traders do not need to go door-to-door touting for work.

'Anyone knocking on your door offering you something, no matter how good it sounds, is more than likely up to no good.

'Cornwall Council or their contractors would never allow staff to offer left-over tarmac to residents. Anyone stating otherwise is clearly not a genuine trader.'

The other warning relates to home mobility sellers with recent intelligence suggesting that large national firms are using aggressive sales tactics to sell mobility items such as reclining chairs to residents.

Customers are bamboozled into agreeing to purchase items at hugely-inflated prices and are not being allowed to cancel their contacts.

Leanne said: 'These companies prey on the vulnerable, often spending hours in their homes persuading them that they need mobility equipment at inflated prices.

'The companies appear legitimate in every way and are often not reported to us as victims often believe they are acting within the law. They are not. Pushy and aggressive sales tactics are a criminal offence which Trading Standards take very seriously.'

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to rogue traders, or if you have any information relating to incidents, contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03457 040506.