TRADING Standards officers have issued an official warning about rogue doorstep traders after residents – including one in West Somerset – were “conned” out of thousands of pounds.

The Free Press last week highlighted the plight of a pensioner living near Williton who believed she had been duped into agreeing to have her driveway resurfaced by workmen purporting to work for Somerset Highways.

Now Devon and Somerset Trading Standards has said it has received a number of complaints about unsolicited visits from doorstep traders, including one claiming to be from Somerset Highways offering gardening, building and driveway works.

The complaints refer to poor quality work, excessive costs and even, sometimes, to elderly people being driven to the bank to withdraw cash.

And officers say shoddy work is costing victims thousands of pounds to make good what is often a poor standard of work.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member responsible for Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, said: “We’ve heard several reports of gangs claiming to work for Somerset County Council Highways and offering cheap, leftover tarmac.

“They often wait until there is resurfacing in the area so it seems plausible.”

Cllr Hall said people should be aware that no firm working for Somerset County Council would ever offer to carry out resurfacing of private drives or forecourts.

“They do not have ’leftover tarmac’,” he said.

By law, doorstep traders have to provide written information, including their name, address, how much the work will cost and how long it will take to complete before a person agrees to a contract.

They must also give written notice to advise people about their rights to a 14 day cooling off period.

Trading standards officers say their advice to residents is not to enter into contracts with unsolicited visitors.

They say people should take their time and always get three quotes for any work, as well as seeking a second opinion to see if the work needs doing.

Advice, details of approved traders or information on how to complain about a doorstep trader is available from Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or visit http://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/buy-with-confidence.