There have been some high-profile horror stories of dodgy salesmen

The government is proposing a ban on cold calling from workmen touting home repair services, such as builders.

The measure is one of a range of new proposals aimed at protecting consumers from dodgy doorstep salesmen.

A public information campaign has recently been launched to help people resist persuasive tactics employed by such high-pressure sellers.

Under the new proposals, which are being put to a public consultation, unsolicited tradesmen would also be banned from delivering or carrying out work within a seven-day cooling-off period.

The announcement on cold calling coincided with the launch of a ten-year consumer strategy by the government.

Within this plan is an intention to extend later in the year a new consumer helpline service, called Consumer Direct, currently operating in Scotland, to England and Wales.

Horror stories

The measures against bogus traders would not only protect people from rogue cold calling, but would enhance consumer rights for home visits requested by consumers.

NEW PROPOSALS: Ensure details of consumers right to cancel are clearly visible in large print on a contract Prohibit money being paid or taken before the seven day cooling-off period has elapsed Prohibit goods being delivered or work being carried under a contract before the seven day cooling-off period has elapsed in the case of unsolicited visits Extending the seven day right to cancel an agreement or purchase (cooling off period) to include visits from salesmen that a consumer has requested Encourage doorstep selling traders to provide consumers with greater transparency on their products and prices

For example, the government is considering a seven-day cooling-off period for solicited sales conducted within the home.

"There are legitimate companies who conduct business by means of cold calling and doorstep selling," said Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

"They can provide a vital service to people who for whatever reason can't get out and about. But there is no doubt that there are unscrupulous traders who take advantage of consumers and target the vulnerable and we are determined to tackle this."

Calls for better protection around doorstep sales and cold calling have gained momentum in recent years.

Well-documented horror stories of older people who have been fleeced for sub-standard work have caused public outrage.

Speaking at the launch of the government's long-term consumer strategy on Wednesday, Ms Hewitt said that current enforcement was "pretty patchy".

Many bogus trading offences can be seen as possible deception under the Theft Act, the only cases which can expect to be punished are where no work is done by the trader.

In other cases, however substandard the services provided, quite complex evidence is needed to show deception and intent.

By making cold calling for home improvements an offence itself, it would be easier to identify cases when tradesmen had broken the law, the government said.