A SPATE of attacks by rogue traders on farms in West Somerset has triggered a warning to residents by police and Trading Standards officers.

The first farm to be hit was at Old Cleeve on March 31 when the farmer was approached by a man offering to tarmac a drive.

When the work was carried out, he asked for £2500.

And when the farmer objected to the amount, he was threatened until he paid.

Then last Monday, April 6, a farm in Withycombe was targeted by a man in a Land Rover.

He called on the farmer, saying he was in a hurry as he had the wrong "stuff" delivered. He offered to tarmac the farmer's driveway.

And on the same day, the same man turned up at a farm in Upton, again offering to tarmac the farmyard entrance.

This time he claimed to work for the council and said he he needed to use up left-over tarmac that was on his lorry.

The farmer stated how much he wanted to spend on this but was told that a price could not be given because it would depend on what was left on the lorry.

The next day, five men arrived in a lorry, completed the work - and demanded grossly inflated payment that was six times more than the farmer had expected.

No written quote or receipt for the work was given.

"I would warn residents that genuine companies will not operate in this way," said PC Heidi Wall.

"We are currently working closely with Trading Standards in relation to investigating rogue traders operating in the West Somerset area.

"The public should not to accept any offers of work from traders in these circumstances.

"These people will not give you a written quote, offer any guarantee and will often expect you to pay extortionate prices.

"I advise people to contact reputable companies only and obtain written quotes before accepting or agreeing to any work."

All three incidents, which amount to fraud, have been reported to the police and PC Walls would like anyone with information to contact her at Minehead police station on 0845 4567000.

Somerset County Council Trading Standards advises:

l The Highways Department never takes on private work: "So anyone claiming that they work for Highways and have left over material is lying."

l If a resident enters into a contract with someone in their own home, they must be given a notice stating that they have seven days to change their mind.

A trader is breaking the law if they do not do this.

"Our advice is to get at least three quotes for any work, make sure that phone numbers and addresses are real, and don't allow yourself to be pressured into agreeing a contract," said a Trading Standards spokesman.

Further information about people's rights before and after a contract is made is available from Consumer Direct, the national consumer advice helpline, on 08454 04 05 06.