TRADING Standards chiefs in Preston are urging people not to rush into booking their holidays - as it could avoid disappointment later.

Last year they dealt with 3,500 calls from the public complaining about everything from the accommodation, resort, noise - to the weather.

But deputy chief trading standard officer David Brown said many of these complaints could have been avoided if holidaymakers had read the brochures properly and shopped around first.

He said: "There are laws to protect consumers but much can be done before going on holiday to prevent them from having cause to complain in the first place."

And he gave holidaymakers the following advice:

Shop around, compare prices, hotels, offers and discuss your requirements with a reputable travel agent;

ask the agent for information from the Gazetteer, a truthful guide to resorts which all agents have;

beware of descriptions such as 'lively or suitable for the young at heart'; fine if you want to disco until dawn;

make sure you are adequately insured for cancellation, losses/theft, accidents, and

consider paying the tour operator for your holiday by credit card, as this gives you added rights against the card company if things go wrong.

Mr Brown added: "Although you have followed all those steps you may still feel you have reason to complain. You should get in touch with your tour operator first and if you have no joy call us at trading standards."

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