Essex County Council Trading Standards has issued a warning about conmen operating a white line painting scam.

Itinerant rogue traders are cold calling premises, such as schools, churches, surgeries and other premises, to enquire whether they require white lines painted in their car park.

They allegedly claim to be part of official roadworks that happen to be working in the area and that they have surplus paint left over that they offer at a good rate.

The figures they quote are vague and possibly misleading regarding cost per foot but when added up the final cost is expensive. In some cases undertaking the work when it was never asked for and then demanding cash.

Trading Standards advises anyone who has been approached by the conmen to contact Cita 03454040506 or Action Fraud 03001232040.

Anyone who feels threatened should call the police straight away.