ONE foolproof way to avoid cowboy builders (Consumer Matters, January 25), is to look for one who is not afraid to display his name on the side of his van, or have his name on a board where he is working.

He is someone proud of his work and his reputation and is not afraid of anyone knowing what sort of craftsman he is. Beware of the plain white van men.

Keith Smith,

Brackenhills,

Upper Poppleton, York.

Updated: 11:39 Tuesday, January 28, 2003