UNWELCOME visitors could soon be a thing of the past on the Croftlands housing estate in Ulverston following the launch of the latest No Cold Calling zone in Cumbria.

The county’s trading standards Service has worked with police, the council community unit, South Lakeland District Council and residents to introduce the zone.

It includes Swarthdale Avenue, Central Drive, Maple Avenue, Hillside, Acacia Road, Yealand Drive and Heversham Close, along with parts of Rowan Avenue.

The aim is to place power in the hands of residents, particularly elderly people, and give them the confidence to say ‘no’ to bogus callers and rogue traders.

The zones are designed to bring people together and encourage residents to say they no longer wish to have traders calling unin-vited at their homes.

Residents in the area used voting forms to back the zone, and once it won the go-ahead, packs of information and 'no cold calling stickers' to display in windows were delivered to homes .

Signs designed to warn rogue traders and bogus officials of the zone have been put in place to identify the designated area where they are not welcome.

Cumbria’s Coun Gary Strong said: "The zone will go a long way to help those who feel vulnerable in their own home to say no to unwelcome callers.

“Working with the police on this initiative, we hope to increase the sense of community spirit, cut the number of unsolicited callers in the area and ensure the neighbourhood stays safe."

Anyone with information about doorstep crime is encouraged to contact trading standards via the consumer direct hotline on 08454 040506.