THE European Commission is to take tough action against junk mailers who have been targeting thousands of grieving families, a local Euro MP has been told.

Preston Liberal Democrat leader Bill Chadwick first raised the issue after hearing families in the town had received letters offering services such as 'hypnotelepathic transmission treatment' and 'lunar magic therapy' to ease their grief after a loved one passed away.

The letters, sent from addresses in mainland Europe, mean the perpetrators could not be prosecuted under UK trading laws.

This situation prompted Preston's Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies to take up the issue in the European Parliament.

Mr Davies, who sits on the Consumer Affairs Committee in Brussels, asked the European Commission whether it was aware of scams such as this, and what action it would take to tackle the problem.

The Commission has now set up a body to bring together trading standards officers from all 15 EU countries, with proposals in the pipeline soon to reinforce European cooperation.

Chris Davies said: "I am delighted that the Commission has recognised the need to take action. Mailing people in grief, especially the elderly, with absurd offers of help is cynical and cruel.