WELCOME to the Wigan Council 'Trading Standards News' - a factsheet updating help and advice for consumers and businesses in the area.

There's some very interesting and enlightening material been gathered together by the hardworking staff there.

And having facts handy at your fingertips is of great benefit when problems arise - such as advice on how to deal with charity scams, working from home and counterfeit goods.

There's also a list of products like rattles, raincoats, cars and TVs that have had product recalls, which I would never have known about had I not read this publication.

There's also a fascinating list of recent prosecutions - including a Metro trader who was taken to court in January under the Cancer Act of 1939 for taking part in a publication giving advice in connection with the treatment of cancer. Unbelieveable.

The section's aim is to achieve a fair, safe and honest environment in Leigh and Wigan. The newsletter, the first of many I hope, can help make it so.

Get your orders in now at local libraries and help make it a success so there will be others. This is definitely the kind of help we can use.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.