Trading standards officers from Oxfordshire County Council have collared four people in a crackdown on cold-calling rogue gardeners.

Council officers along with police swooped on two addresses in Oxford and Witney on Wednesday, February 28, and arrested four people who were carrying out gardening and building work.

The previous day, three men working in a garden, in Headington, Oxford, ran off from trading standards officers when they were approached. A further incident today is still being investigated.

These four incidents alone could have netted the rogue traders a total of £11,500 for carrying out very little or sub-standard work.

Nigel Strick, head of Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards department, said: There appears to be team of rogue traders operating in the county offering to do gardening work.

"We would strongly advise all Oxfordshire residents not to deal with traders who call at their house.

"If you need gardening work done, ask your friends and neighbours to recommend a trader and get a couple of quotes to make sure you are paying a fair price."

If someone calls at your house offering to do gardening work, say no thank you' and report the visit to trading standards on 0845 0510845.