TRADING standards officers have warned St Helens people to be on guard against high pressure doorstep damp-proof sellers.

Another spate of complaints concerning salesmen have been brought to the attention of St Helens Council's Trading Standards section relating to companies offering a free survey to check for damp problems in houses.

A number of residents have contacted Trading Standards officers complaining that once the survey has been undertaken they have been pressurised into having expensive damp proofing work completed even though it may not always be necessary.

Councillor Terry Hanley, Executive Member for Environmental Protection, said: "These companies are very convincing and it is difficult for residents to know if the advice they give is genuine.

"The advice from Trading Standards is that residents should not sign up, no matter what the company representative tells them. If they are interested, residents should ask the trader to give them written information."

"Any genuine company will readily do this. They should also obtain a number of quotes from recommended or established firms who are members of a trade association."

Even if you have signed a contract, you are probably entitled to a "cooling-off" period. Anyone with queries regarding a contract they have signed in their home should ring the Trading Standards Section for advice immediately on 01744 456306.