THE case of a woman who paid £200 for roof repairs which were never carried out has prompted a warning to homeowners not to hire cold callers to undertake work.

Durham County Council is urging residents not to do business with cold callers who knock at the door offering repair services.

Joanne Waller, the council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “We would always urge residents to be on their guard when answering the door to unexpected callers offering goods and services; in particular those offering repairs to a roof, driveway or gardening work.

“The work will often be unnecessary, overpriced and of poor quality. When things go wrong the trader can rarely be found to put things right.”

New legislation which comes into force on Friday, June 13, gives consumers more time, 14 days, to cancel a service.

The woman, from Pity Me, Durham City, forked out cash for work that was unnecessary and was never done.

The council runs a Registered Trading Scheme. For further details, visit durham.gov.uk or call the consumer helpline on 08454-04-05-06.