NEW guidelines have been issued to protect the public from "cold calling" damp proofers offering unnecessary and over-priced work.

The measures follow complaints to Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards officers, as well as Blackburn with Darwen officials.

Last year, the departments received dozens of calls from people who had been offered "free damp checks". Once accepted, damp detection meters found problems.

A hard sell for remedial work followed, including so called "price reduction" offers, with quotes ranging from several hundred to several thousand pounds.

In one extreme case, an elderly pensioner was quoted £18,000, Trading Standards reports householders . They urge consumer:

Shop around and get more than one estimate from established contractors with fixed premises and landline numbers, who are willing to give references.

Do not allow doorstep tradesmen into your house if you are alone and feel vulnerable.

Never agree to have work done under pressure, or be tempted into a "reduced rate" if you sign immediately.