A campaign by the Oxford Mail against cowboy builders has won the backing of MP Tony Baldry in the House of Commons.

The Bicester and Banbury MP gave his support with a Bill calling for greater regulation to help cut out shoddy workmanship.

The Bill, debated on Friday under the Commons "ten-minute rule", failed to get through its second reading as Parliamentary time ran out.

But Mr Baldry said he was delighted to support our Cowboys Beware campaign. "It is a very good campaign because it makes people more aware of the fact that there are cowboy builders about." Mr Baldry said he did not expect his Bill to become law, although the draft was available if the Government wanted to take it up. He added: "The important thing is that it gets printed and receives publicity."

Mr Baldry's Bill called for it to be made compulsory for firms to be members of a professional body or trade association.

He added: "The main thing is that consumers need greater protection. There has been a growing number of complaints relating to home repair and maintenance."

Story date: Monday 08 November

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