PRESTON Borough Council and a Blackpool company have reached loggerheads over alleged bogus callers.

Preston Borough Council has issued warnings to the public and firms of solicitors about Kirkman and Butcher Referral Agency Ltd, calling the actions of the company "appalling".

But Kirkman and Butcher, whose offices are in Newton Drive, Blackpool, say that the council is starting a slur campaign against them as their actions could costs the council a substantial amount of money.

The company say they are looking after the interests of tenants living in sub-standard accommodation.

Several tenants living in council housing in Preston say they have been visited by an official claiming to be from Preston Borough Council.

Tenants say the visitors ask for personal information like national insurance numbers, personal income and whether or not they have made out a will before taking photographs around the house and passing them a leaflet for Kirkman and Butcher which says they could be entitled to compensation.

But the council say that the firm pass the information onto legal firms who approach the tenants to start action against the council.

Councillor Ken Cole, housing and direct services portfolio holder, said: "I am appalled at the actions of this company. They are targeting vulnerable people and claim to be from the council. "I am appealing to all local solicitors to stay clear of Kirkman and Butcher as they are using underhand methods to gain information."

The council also warn that this style of approach could render tenants unable to get legal aid.

But Keith Butcher, a director of Kirkman and Butcher, said the accusations of misrepresentation were completely unfounded, saying that claiming to be from the council was "100 per cent against company policy," and they would take action against any employee or agent who was found to be acting in such a way.

He also said the company did not just concentrate on council housing, but private landlords as well.

"We knew that this type of attack would come from the council, we just didn't think it would be so soon," he said.

"Some of the people in council housing are living in sub-standard conditions that you would never live in yourself.

"If the tenants have got any faults with their property then we will write to the council. If the council then fails to act then we advise the tenant to take further action.

"They are trying to ruin us because we are making them pull their finger out and work for their tenants and it is going to cost them."