Beware of fishy door-to-door salesman - that is the message from Suffolk Trading Standards.

Reports have come into the county council from concerned residents of Trimley St Mary, claiming that salesmen have been visiting homes unannounced to sell fish.

Anyone who sees this on their doorstep or suspects this behaviour has been urged to contact Suffolk police on 101 and not to purchase anything from an unsolicited salesperson at their home.

Trading Standards tweeted: “We’ve had reports of fish sellers going door-to-door in Trimley Saint Mary.

“We advise never buying at the door, if you are concerned about something you have bought or have been visited, contact us on 03454 040506 or Suffolk police on 101 #Suffolk”

The products the vendors have could potentially be mislabelled, not refrigerated and close to their expiry dates.

A Suffolk Trading Standards spokesman said: “They tend to target areas with a high population of elderly residents and use intimidating sales techniques.

“The door-to-door sellers show a consumer a small selection of fish, and when they agree to buy some, they go to the van, returning with large amounts of packs of fish and go into the house and start putting it into the freezer.

“Elderly consumers have said they handed over payment just to get the trader out of their house.”

The scam typically involves buying fish in the largest batches possible and selling it on as fast as traders can.

Payment is demanded in cash or as cheques with the payee left blank.

Trading Standards recommend never purchasing anything on your doorstep.

The spokesman added: “If you would like to purchase fish, ask for a price list, say you will think about it and telephone if you want to place an order.

“Any reasonable trader will be happy to do this if it leads to regular custom.

“If any traders are not complying with the above or you have any suspicions report to Suffolk Trading Standards.

“If you feel threatened at any time, call the police.”