A campaign has been re-launched to stop rogue traders.

Essex County Council’s Trading Standards team has joined forces with the Office of Fair Trading to raise awareness of the danger of dodgy doorstep traders.

Last year more than 500 calls were investigated, several of which involved elderly people being conned out of thousands of pounds.

The Essex Trading Standards Buy With Confidence scheme was set up in 2009 and includes 210 approved businesses, with 80 more being checked, all of which comply with the scheme’s rigorous standards.

Kevin Bentley, councillor responsible for trading standards, said: “The Buy With Confidence scheme is playing a big part in helping us to eliminate rogue traders from the county as only reputable businesses and traders can become members, so residents can rest assured they will get a good job done, charged at a fair price.”