RESIDENTS are being warned after cold callers struck in Lower Walton.

An elderly woman was cold called by two men offering to trim the top of her conifer.

A cheque payable to one of the men has since been stopped. The traders did not have a waste carriers licence and the customer would have been liable if the waste had been tipped illegally.

The owner of the company, who was contacted on an 0800 freephone number claimed that he worked for the council. These claims have not yet been verified.

Warrington trading standards is advising the public not to agree to work from cold callers. People who do agree to work are asked to check their licence before they remove any waste.

Any suspicious callers should be reported to the police on 0845 458 0000.