COLD callers have been banned from an area of Blackburn.

More than 180 houses around the Grimshaw Park area have become the first area of the borough to tell cold callers they are not welcome.

If any cold callers are caught in the area they and the firm they work for will be reported to Trading Standards.

The pilot scheme, being run in conjunction with the police and Blackburn with Darwen Council, was set up after residents expressed concerns over their safety following a number of bogus callers and burglaries in the area around Brandy House Brow and Pendle Drive.

Liz Ashworth, of Rimington Close, who helped launch the scheme, said: "Residents were fed up with people posting leaflets, especially as there are many elderly and disabled people who live in this area.

"There are visits from several electricity and gas sales people every month. Now we can tell them they can't come here."

Large signs have been put up in Pendle Drive and the streets leading from it.

Residents have also been given an information pack about doorstep traders. The pack reminds them of their rights, such as the post sales cooling off period, and gives them a cold callers are not welcome sticker.

Police Community Support Officer Vicki Fourie said: "We were aware of so many cold callers and bogus burglaries in the area. This scheme gives power back to residents as they will no longer feel obliged to open the door to cold callers."

Blackburn with Darwen community safety partnership funded the £1,000 cost of the scheme. Christopher Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards, said: "The scheme protects vulnerable members of society."

Anyone who has concerns about doorstep traders can report them to Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.