TRADING standards chiefs are demanding an outright ban on dodgy doorstep callers who fleece householders out of thousands of pounds for shoddy repair work.

Nearly 1 million people will be ripped off this year by cowboy traders who charge over the odds for bodged repairs, it has been claimed.

And bosses at the Trading Standards Institute believe the only way to stamp out the con men is to stop firms knocking on doors touting for trade.

The new call follows the Daily Echo's "Don't Knock-It" campaign urging the government to bring in a total ban on cold calling to combat the menace of doorstep traders.

Our campaign has the support of Help the Aged, Dorset Police and MPs across the country.

Ron Gainsford, chief executive of the TSI, said: "Nobody can now dispute that doorstep selling is a major problem which hits at the very heart of our communities.

"Something has to be done - and done quickly."

First published: Oct 20