THAME residents have been warned to be on their guard after a new shopping scam has targeted elderly people.

The alert comes after several incidents involving telephone calls from someone claiming to work for South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC). The caller asked to carry out shopping as part of a special service offered by the authority.

Trading Standards officers were made aware, and contacted SODC. The council then confirmed it was not connected to these calls. It added that it the only shopping service it offered was contracted to a company called Montclair, which does not cold call clients in that way.

Nigel Strick, head of trading standards, said: "We would like to urge people never to deal with anyone who calls or knocks at the door without an invitation."

For further advice contact Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards Rogue Trader Unit on 0845 051 0845.