CRIMINALS targeting the elderly will be shown the door when a successful scheme to tackle cold calling is rolled out across Hyndburn.

Funding has been secured to increase the number of homes covered by the No Cold Calling Zone, launched by Trading Standards in June.

The zone currently serves 336 homes in the Milnshaw area of Accrington, but it is hoped that the additional £5,000 of funding will allow it to be extended to eight other areas in the borough.

Victims of bogus builders and cold calling conmen are often the elderly and the vulnerable. But since the scheme began two months ago police say they have had no incidents of doorstep crime reported to them.

PC Lisa Evans, community beat manager for Milnshaw, said: "The area was specifically targeted because of the amount of sheltered accommodation in it.

"We have been speaking to care wardens from the area and the fact that people have now been educated about cold calling means they know what to be aware of."

Residents living in the zone display stickers in their windows telling cold callers they are banned from the area.

PC Evans added: "They have also been given information on what to do if an unwanted visitor calls, with police and community volunteers receiving beat the bogeyman' training to pass on preventative measures to residents.

"Now that people know what to do they are able to look out for themselves.

"We even had one old lady who kept five workmen on her pathway after they turned up at her house to do some work. She kept them outside while she rang to check their IDs.

"We have even had people who aren't part of the scheme placing stickers in their windows because it gives them a feeling of reassurance."

Trading Standards officers bid for the extra funding from Lancashire County Council's Innovation Fund.

Although the fund no longer exists a commitment was made to honour schemes approved in principle.

Officers will speak with councillors next week to decide which other areas will benefit from the scheme.