KENT Police and the county council's trading standards officers have joined forces in a bid to stop rogues who prey on vulnerable homeowners, forcing them to part with savings for unwanted house repairs and garden work.

In a joint initiative with police, trading standards officers have contacted banks and finance houses to stop householders handing over their savings under pressure - resulting in a saving of £71,000 for 11 consumers so far.

However, in some cases they are too late and rogue traders have disappeared with payments and in other cases, left people with the expense of repairing shoddy work.

They are urging homeowners to turn away any unsolicited callers offering property repairs and report them to trading standards on 0845 303 2500 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.

Kent County Council's lead member for strategic planning, Cllr Paulina Stockell (Con) said: "The county council is determined to stamp out the activities of rogue traders wherever possible.

"This has been a very successful initiative in protecting the interests of our most vulnerable residents."