THE council has issued a warning following reports of a 'slippery' door-to-door salesman who has been misleading customers over the quantity and quality of the fish they are buying.

Officers at Trading Standard have called on householders who may have bought fish from the doorstep seller operating in Cheshire in the past month to get in touch.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, executive board member for environment and public protection said: “This slippery salesman has been misleading people over the quantity of fish they believed they were buying and in some instances were persuaded to spend as much as £300 on fish which officers say was incorrectly labelled. 

“One couple thought they were buying £24 worth of fish but later found they’d been tricked into paying £204 for around 30 packs of fish." 
Other problems include underweight sales and incorrect labelling.

Residents are advised to buy from reputable market traders, fishmongers and pre-arranged traders.

Cllr Guthrie said: “These are unsolicited doorstep calls. The trader will not be known to householders. 

"We have concerns over this operator’s techniques and the labelling of the fish he was selling. Basically if it sounds fishy don’t buy it."

Cheshire police have arrested a 47-year-old man from Kimblesworth near Durham on suspicion of fraud by false representation. 

He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

To report an incident call Trading Standards via 03454 040506.