I AM writing to urge readers to back the Help the Aged campaign against bogus callers, rogue traders and distraction burglars by asking their MP to sign a Parliamentary motion.

Help the Aged is working with Gordon Marsden MP, who has recently presented a Bill calling for a ban on doorstep selling of property repairs by unsolicited callers.

We know that selling property repairs is one of the main fronts' used by rogue traders, bogus callers and distraction burglars, and that criminals are targeting older people across the country, charging outrageous prices for shoddy work or no work at all.

Work done as part of the Help the Aged SeniorSafety' campaign, showed that around 400,000 vulnerable older people are targeted each year by bogus callers in Britain and we know that older people are particularly likely to fall victim to this type of crime.

We offer advice and information, and can provide SeniorLink units in older people's homes which they can use to call for support and advice when people knock on their door.

A total ban on all doorstep selling for property repairs will be the only sure way to protect older people from rogue traders and distraction burglars.

I appeal to readers to take action now and contact their local MP asking them to back Gordon Marsden's Bill.

Lysa Ralph, Help the Aged