TRADING standards chiefs in York are to launch a campaign to warn residents about the dangers of cold-callers who target elderly and vulnerable people.

The scheme will highlight a City of York Council telephone hotline to report suspicious traders before they can strike again.

Window stickers promoting the message will be available at supermarkets across the city from tomorrow.

Liz Levett, trading standards manager, said: "Some bogus callers particularly prey on older and vulnerable people, making them believe that they need work doing urgently.

"We hope that the new window stickers will encourage people to contact trading standards if they are in any doubt about suspicious traders. One phone call could prevent several other residents being taken in by the same trader."

The new scheme comes a week after a No Cold Calling Zone was set up in Pickering to ban all individuals, whether they are bogus or legitimate businesses, from knocking at people's doors.

North Yorkshire County Council Trading Standards chiefs set up the zone as one of 140 areas across the country, funded by £50,000 of Government cash.

It is backed by Ryedale Community Safety Partnership and the police, and is identified by street signs and window stickers.

The first such zone in North Yorkshire was set up in Great Ayton last month and county council bosses say residents have already seen a drop in the number of uninvited callers.

Mrs Levett said: "We often receive complaints from residents who have been targeted at home by cold callers.

"This can be anything from workmen calling to fix roofs and repair driveways, often costing thousands of pounds, to builders and gardeners, who try and trick people into paying for unnecessary work."

The window stickers are the latest council scheme that aims to raise awareness of the problems of buying on the doorstep.

Trading Standards also produces, along with Age Concern and the Safer York Partnership, a Home Service Directory of businesses that have been vetted and approved as fair traders.

Stickers are available in the city from tomorrow at B&Q, Tesco, Netto, Sainsbury and Asda stores, or from Consumer Direct, phone 08454 040506.

Updated: 11:05 Tuesday, December 06, 2005