Trading standards officers in Oxfordshire have received reports of residents being telephoned by conmen offering to do their shopping.

The county council's social and community services is the only organisation which employs a company to carry out shopping for older and vulnerable people, called Montclair Home Shopping Service, but the company would never cold-call.

Trading standards officers are aware of a recent official survey in South Oxfordshire into shopping habits.

However, the last survey calls were made two weeks ago, and no further calls are being made.

Nigel Strick, head of trading standards, said: "We would urge people to politely decline services from any callers that they do not know."

Anyone who would like a shopping service and thinks they might be eligible should contact Oxfordshire County Council's Access team on 0845 0507 666.