Unscrupulous fish sellers are targeting the elderly of Ryedale, say North Yorkshire trading standards officers.

Vulnerable people, often living on their own, are being conned into buying large quantities of fish which they neither need or can afford.

Eight cases in the Malton and Scarborough areas have been reported to police and trading standards.

One elderly lady in Malton was persuaded to part with £240, and was intimidated into giving a series of cheques, each supported by banker's cards.

The fish sellers target the elderly by visiting sheltered housing complexes and going door-to-door, asking residents if they want to buy a pack of fresh fish.

If any interest is shown, they then fill up the person's freezer to the brim and demand a payment.

Stuart Pudney, of North Yorkshire's trading standards and regulatory services, said: "In some cases, there may also be a food safety notice in that the fresh fish appears to have been frozen previously and is not being kept in refrigerated vehicles.

"The sellers are known to operate from an unmarked white van and the public are being urged to help catch these people by making note of regis-tration numbers and the appearance of the sellers, if they suspect they have seen these people in operation."

He added: "This door-to-door con is particularly nasty, not only because elderly people are being ripped-off for large quantities of money, but also from a public health point of view.

"This fish is not cheap, in fact it works out at about £15.80 per kg against a normal shop price of £6.60 per kg.

"We do not wish to discriminate against genuine fish traders, who are usually identifiable by a refrigerated marked van with price lists and weighing equipment, and would ask anybody who has any information on this matter to contact their local police or North Yorkshire trading standards on 01609 780780."