A COUNCIL surveyor has been invited to join a government task force aimed at tackling cowboy builders.

Ribble Valley Council surveyor Chris Shuttleworth, of Stirling Close, Clitheroe, has been invited to join the group by Construction Minister Nick Raynsford.

Mr Shuttleworth said the group had been set up to deal with the growing problem of cowboy builders. Consumer complaints are now 100,000 per year.

"Not only is the public being let down, but regular media attention on rogue builders is having a detrimental effect on the industry ," Mr Shuttleworth said.

"Reputable builders, who form the majority, are suffering from this negative image and many customers are failing to undertake improvement work for fear of being ripped off."

The task force has been asked to come up with a practical scheme to tackle cowboy builders by July.

Mr Shuttleworth, who is Immediate Past President of the Institute of Building Control, added: "We aim to develop a comprehensive package of positive and pratical solutions. These will include a national register of quality-marked builders.

"The quality mark will indicate that the builder follows agreed standards backed by a warranty and effective means of redress if things go wrong."

The task force will include representatives of the construction industry, local government, consumer and insurance interests.

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