The firms contact businesses warning them of the legal consequences and fines for not complying with health and safety law.

They then ask the businesses to send a cheque of �249 to obtain a health and safety information pack.

West Berkshire Council's Trading Standards Service says companies should ignore any such requests.

Theresa Bashford, Trading Standards Officer, said: "It is very easy for people who are new in business or who work in busy offices to be caught out by these letters.

"As with all matters of this kind our advice to businesses is not to part with their money and to go to the official agencies for advice."