More days of action are planned

Trading standards officers have teamed up with police, customs and benefit fraud officers to prevent flood victims from being cheated.

Trading Standards officers have visited flood victims to warn of the expected influx of "cowboy" builders, and a day of action has already been held.

During one day, 76 builders' vans were stopped as they arrived in the county.

Drivers were questioned about the work they intended to carry out and vehicles were checked for safety.

Customs and Excise issued one penalty notice to a driver found to be using red diesel, and benefits officers are pursuing several cases of suspected fraud.

Roger Marles, head of Trading Standards, commented: "Further similar activities are planned for the coming weeks and months which we hope will send a clear message to anyone intent on exploiting the plight of victims of the recent floods."