GOVERNMENT proposals aimed at cracking down on cowboy builders are unlikely to have any major impact on the real rogue operators, according to trading standards officers.

The Evening Press yesterday highlighted the case of an elderly Malton couple who were conned out of £1,300 for a few hours work on their roof and trading standards officers admit unscrupulous tradesmen are an increasing problem - last year it received 801 complaints about sub-standard work.

But Gordon Gresty, head of trading standards at North Yorkshire County Council, says it is 'extremely doubtful' any of the proposals put forward in a Government Consultation paper will stop the real cowboy builders.

"The nature of complaints is often extremely serious, both in terms of the financial loss suffered by consumers and the distress caused to customers in dealing with the builders," said Mr Gresty.

"But the proposals contained in the Government consultation document are extremely disappointing and their impact on cowboy builders is likely to be extremely small."

The measures suggested by the Government include developing a construction skills certificate scheme and an industry kite mark for repair and maintenance work as well as encouraging local authorities to compile an approved list of builders.

But Mr Gresty says his department has come up with two a new ideas which it believes will tackle the issue more effectively.

"Firstly, a licensing scheme for all construction and maintenance traders. Licenses could be withdrawn if businesses were found to be operating unfairly or illegally," he said.

"Secondly, traders could be prohibited from canvassing for work door-to-door."

Mr Gresty's ideas will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.

An Environment Department spokesman said: "Mr Gresty's comments will certainly be given consideration.

The types of complaints received by NYCC trading standard's complaints and inquiries team fall into a range of categories, including:* Misleading prices* Shoddy workmanship* Dangerous installations* Unnecessary work undertaken* Misdescribed goods and services provided* High-pressure selling and intimidation* Customers verbally abused and assaulted * False claims of membership to trade associations

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.