SEVERAL elderly residents have been targeted by doorstep scammers who tricked them into paying more than £200 for fish.

Residents in Wirral fell victim to the scam, which has previously been reported across other parts of the North West.

Trading standards officers in Wirral and Salford have issued a warning in case the scammers target another location.

They urged residents to be very careful about buying goods on their doorstep.

The bags of fish are described as unlabelled and nothing is known about how they have been stored.

Councillor David Lancaster, the lead member for environment and community safety at Salford City Council, said: "The residents were offered two bags of fish and did not realise the amount that was being put into the handheld card reader.

"They were horrified to find they had been charged between £234 and £254 for the fish.

"It is despicable to target older people in this way and I would urge anyone considering buying on their doorstep to think very carefully before doing so and only use traders you know and trust."

Cllr Lancaster urged residents to check product prices when buying from new traders, particularly if the cost is entered on a hand-held card reader.

Anyone with information about the people responsible for this scam are urged to call the Citizen’s Advice consumer service on 03454 040506.