COLD-calling salesmen could be barred from hundreds of Accrington homes within weeks.

Community leaders are preparing to launch a "no cold calling" zone in the town to protect residents from bogus callers.

Accrington has been identified as a priority area for the idea, due to the number of elderly and vulnerable people living in the town.

It comes after elderly victims were targeted in their homes by bogus callers.

In one case, a 92-year-old man had cash stolen from his home by bogus officials claiming to be from the gas board.

The chosen zone includes around 340 homes but it will not be made public until residents have been told about the scheme.

Meetings have been set up next month with local people to discuss the plans.

Under the scheme, trading standards officers will help residents' groups to block cold callers by putting up signs and giving out door stickers to make it clear that cold-callers are not welcome.

The initiative, which is supported by the police, would be run like a neighbourhood watch with a co-ordinator being the main point of contact.

Funding for the scheme has come from Lancashire County Council's Local Innovation Fund.

Coun Dorothy Westell said: "Cold calling can be unsettling, particularly for the elderly, who often feel very uncomfortable when traders knock at their door.

"Rogue traders can charge hundreds of pounds for little or no work and some are involved in distraction-type burglaries where crooks con their way into homes under false pretences.

"This scheme gives a clear message to cold callers that they are not welcome."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We have worked with the police and other partners to identify a potential site for a no cold-calling zone in Accrington.

"A series of meetings are now being planned to take place during February to discuss the proposal with residents whose properties are affected.

"Around 340 properties will be covered by the zone and we are looking forward to meeting residents to listen to any issues they would like to raise and to explain the detail of the plan."