PEOPLE living in the West Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Bromyard areas are being warned about rogue traders offering a garden clearance service.

Trading Standards chiefs at Herefordshire Council say the combination of sunshine and showers has created lush growth in many gardens and may also produce a crop of opportunists saying they will do all the cutting back and take away the rubbish.

Andrew Tector, head of environmental health and trading standards, says these people often charge more than legitimate operators and dump the rubbish in the countryside.

"More than one third of the fly-tipping in the county consists of builders' rubbish and garden waste," he said.

"This is often dumped in laybys and country lanes by rogue traders. Not only do these people overcharge for their 'services', they then avoid paying the price for the proper disposal of this rubbish."

The council collects more than 200 tons of fly-tipped rubbish from lanes and laybys, at a cost of £23,000, each year.

"People are easily persuaded by the thought of someone else doing the awkward or laborious work in the garden - older people are especially vulnerable," added Mr Tector.

"I can't emphasise enough the importance of asking for a quote, giving yourself time to think about it, and contacting other people who would do the same job. If in doubt, just say 'no'."