Residents and businesses especially in rural areas across Whitchurch, Wem, Ellesmere and Malpas are being warned about cold callers in Shropshire.

Shropshire Council has released an urgent warning after men were seen trying to work a ‘tarmac’ scam in Ash Parva, on the outskirts of Whitchurch on Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson said: “These people will knock on the door and quite plausibly tell you they have tarmac left over from a job nearby that they can let you have before it goes off.

“In the real world this doesn’t happen.

“They won’t have been working on a major road nearby – they’ll be waiting in a lay-by for their scouts to call them across.

“This morning, instead of preparing the quote a householder had agreed to receive, a group of men descended on the driveway and began work without permission and were then expecting to be paid.”

Anyone with any concerns, or wishing to report callers doing just this, should call the Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.