Neighbours of the elderly are being asked to protect them from rogue traders as part of National Consumer Week which runs next week.

The campaign Be a Good Neighbour – Stop Rogue Traders has been launched by Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire Good Neighbours Scheme.

To raise awareness of the campaign displays will be on show throughout the county including at Springfield Community Campus in Corsham, Calne Community Hub and Malmesbury Town Council.

People are being asked to speak to their neighbour in private and check if everything is okay or, if concerned, to call one of their neighbour’s relatives on their behalf or note any suspicious vehicle registration numbers.

People can also keep hold of flyers they have received that may be from a rogue trader.

Signs that a rogue trader has visited a neighbour could be that they appear anxious or distressed, are visiting the bank or building society more frequently, or building work or maintenance work could have started unexpectedly.

Maggie Rae, of Wiltshire Council, said: “We all have a role to play in protecting elderly and vulnerable people in our communities.

“Unfortunately there are a small minority of people who want to take advantage of them, but there are some steps everyone can take to look out for their neighbours and make sure they are okay.”