FUNDING has been approved for a scheme to outlaw cold calling from Accrington streets to protect elderly residents from bogus callers.

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

The scheme is a joint initiative by Lancashire Trading Standards, Eaves Brook Neighbourhood Management and the Community Safety Partnership.

They applied for funding from Lancashire County Council's Lancashire Local Innovation Fund and a grant of £2,500 was approved by the authority.

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.

County 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."

County Coun Anne Brown, cabinet member for policy and resources, added: "The county council has been working with various partners on ways to tackle cold calling and doorstep crime and that is why we are backing this scheme.

"Trying out a pilot scheme like this will be very useful and may be something that other areas want to look at and develop."

County trading standards staff recorded more than 2,800 property repair complaints last year involving disputed work and overcharging.

A pilot area for the scheme is to be chosen and if it is successful the organisers will seek further funding to roll it out to other parts of Hyndburn.