PENSIONERS in the Bournemouth area are being offered a hotline for advice or emergency help, as Help the Aged lends its weight to the Daily Echo's Don't Knock It campaign.

The charity has a number of free SeniorLink units to give elderly people in the area, which will connect them immediately to a response centre operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This centre will answer any need, whether it is support at the door, emergency assistance, reassurance or a chat.

Lysa Ralph, national SeniorSafety manager for Help the Aged, said: "We would like to add our support to the Daily Echo's campaign to warn older people, in particular, about doorstep cold callers.

"It is a sad fact that rogue traders do use this approach to trick in particular older and vulnerable people, and will not hesitate to commit a distraction burglary, should the opportunity arise."

She added that when dealing with an unexpected visitor, older people should make sure all outer doors are locked and stop to think if they are expecting anyone.

They should put the door chain on and look out of the window or spy hole before opening the door, and ensure that they check the caller's identification over the telephone, using a number from a different source rather than their calling card.

"Never be pressurised into parting with money on the spot or signing up to anything you are not happy with," she said.

The SeniorLink unit is available free to any local older person who meets Help the Aged's criteria, and a £1.50 weekly charge for monitoring and maintenance applies.

To find out more, call 01255 473999.

Help the Aged is also working with the Daily Echo to call for a ban on cold calling to sell property repairs, which is currently under consideration by the government.

We are asking our readers to send in our coupon showing their support for this ban.

More advice, help and security measures are on hand for concerned Dorset residents through their local councils.

Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset councils are all active in working together and with other agencies and charities to combat the problem of bogus traders.

Residents can contact the trading standards or consumer protection units at their council to get advice, or report suspicious activity.

A Handyvan is available, through local charity Help and Care, which carries out small repairs and installs security products for a small or no fee.

There is also a "good builder list" to give carers and vulnerable people, who are known to Help and Care and Age Concern, more confidence in choosing firms to do their work.

And in Highcliffe, local organisation Re:act offers over-55s advice on choosing trades people and company while the work is being carried out.

Useful telephone numbers:

Borough of Poole consumer protection: 01202 261700 Bournemouth Borough Council trading standards: 01202 451551 Dorset County Council trading standards: 01305 254012 Help and Care: 01202 432288 Re:act: 01425 280441 Transo (gas suppliers): 0870 608 1524 Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water: 01202 590059 Energywatch: 08459 06 07 08 Federation of Master Builders: 020 7242 7583 Crimestoppers: 0800 555111