RESIDENTS in the Sunnyhurst ward of Darwen are being warned about bogus surveyors.

The alert comes after Coun Dave Hollings was contacted by constituents in Sunnybank Street who reported they had "official looking" men call at their homes claiming to be council surveyors.

In two cases the men asked to be invited into the house but the residents became suspicious and refused.

Coun Hollings said: "They said they had come to survey the house and needed to look around the property. They tried to gain access but for what purpose we don't know. People need to exercise caution."

Chris Allen, head of trading standards for Blackburn with Darwen, said: "The council's survey would consist of a thorough inspection of the house and a short interview with the householder. No houses will be surveyed without an appointment being made."