RESIDENTS in Benfleet are being warned to watch out for cowboy builders offering household repairs.

There have been recent reports of traders knocking on doors offering to undertake household repairs or informing residents that they have a problem with their property.

Essex Trading Standards are advising never to have household repairs carried out by doorstep traders.

Residents are advised to use Buy with Confidence businesses, which have been audited and approved by Trading Standards.

You can find a Buy with Confidence business via www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506.

If you have been contacted by a doorstep trader and need advice or want to pass on information that Trading Standards can use to stop these rogue traders please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or call Essex Police on 101 or 999 if you feel threatened.