TRADING standards chief have warned homeowners in Lancaster and Morecambe to steer well clear of door-to-door builders offering to fix up properties.

They are particularly concerned about cowboy plastic fascia and guttering repairers who are calling on householders offering to do immediate work.

The work is often very poor quality and they offer guarantees that are worthless as the companies are always moving or changing their names.

Invoices and vans often only show a mobile phone number and one local man who called to complain was told that the trader had won the lottery and retired.

A Trading Standards spokesman, Chris Cheetham, said: "Replacement uPVC gutters, windows and fascias have become very popular and many of the cowboy repairers have moved on from Tarmac laying in driveways into this lucrative new business. Householders should always shop around for repairs and use well established and reputable tradesmen. Written, no-obligation quotes detailing the work and price should be obtained and if necessary checks be made with Trading Standards. Never pay in advance and its far better to employ a local, established tradesman to do the work." To contact Trading Standards call 01772 263565.