STORM victims are being warned to watch out for rogue traders who may be preying on people whose homes were hit by last week's storms.

Bad weather and high winds are often followed by cowboy builders offering to repair damage, says Lancashire County Council.

Home owners should check with their insurance company first then get quotes from several reputable local companies before having work done.

They are also advised to deal only with builders who have fixed addresses and phone numbers, to take photographs of damage and work carried out and pay by cheque or credit card.

County Coun Jean Battle, cabinet member for community planning and partnerships, said: "Rogue property repairers often trick people into paying high prices for unnecessary or shoddy work.

"I urge people never to have work done by somebody who turns up uninvited on the doorstep."