TRADING Standards watchdogs have issued an urgent warning to people to be on their guard against a bogus damp-coursing company.

The company is believed to be offering free damptesting surveys in the Warrington area and using meters which give false readings

The callers then give a security code to the homeowner, who is asked to quote the number to a salesman who calls later in the day.

Warrington Council's trading standards manager, Peter Astley, said: "We've had previous dealings with this company who often prey on the most vulnerable people in our community as their victims. They quite often use high-powered sales techniques and damp detection equipment we believe may be giving false readings.

"We're currently examining new powers available to us to prevent this type of trader from operating."