A BUSINESS in Bromsgrove is one of scores across the county to be warned it faces legal action after ignoring laws to protect consumers buying over the Internet.

A survey conducted by Worcestershire County Council's trading standards service has revealed too many businesses selling goods and services over the Internet are ignoring laws designed to protect consumers.

The laws, introduced more than a year ago, safeguard such things as the right to return goods or cancel an order within seven working days of delivery.

But the survey found more than a third of companies failed to tell consumers they had this right, and, when goods were returned, more than a quarter failed to provide a refund within the prescribed 30-day period.

Trading standards will now write to every company surveyed to advise them of their performance and warn those who ignore this advice they could face legal action.

Trading standards head Clive Graham said: "Research suggests 40 per cent of consumers would shop on line more often if they could return goods more easily.

"It is therefore in the interest of businesses to ensure they advise consumers of their rights."

He said offences could be committed under consumer protection legislation and the Internet is no different to the High Street in terms of law.

Trading standards officers from across the Midlands ordered goods over the Internet from 59 companies across the UK. Purchases were made and then orders cancelled and goods returned to see how well the companies fared.