Consumer watchdogs have warned people to be on their guard for cowboy contractors offering to repair drives after pensioners were almost conned out of £4,500.

The cowboys had called on four properties in Horsham and persuaded residents to have their drives block-paved without giving any quotes.

A spokesman for West Sussex trading standards department said: "Following complaints, we intervened to reinforce the owners' wishes not to have the work carried out."

The cowboys had the fictitious name Barratt Contractors, of High Drive, Tonbridge, Kent, on the side of a white van.

Officials urged people not to deal with doorstep traders and to get a second opinion if told their drive needed repairing.