HELP is at hand for people worried about dubious sales techniques and unscrupulous traders.

Groups in Gravesend, Dartford and Bexley, can help anyone who needs work done in their homes.

The Staying Put agency, funded by Bexley Council and the Dartford and Gravesham care and repair schemes, has been set up specifically to help the elderly, disabled and other vulnerable people, get repairs and improvements carried out in their homes.

Staff will visit people to discuss what building work might be necessary and to help with the paperwork if they are entitled to grants from the council towards the cost of repairs, adaptations or work to improve energy efficiency.

Whether they are paying for the work themselves or eligible for a grant, the agency will put them in touch with suitable builders and check the work before it is paid for. All advice is free.

The Care & Repair scheme also helps with internal decorations and runs a 'handyman' service to care for small jobs such as leaking radiators and replacement of tap washers.

In Bexley, Age Concern's Handipersons Scheme offers the same kind of service.

l Bexley Council has issued another warning to all residents to be on their guard against a bogus company known by the name 'Kennedys', operating in the borough, having moved from the Dartford area.

The company offers to construct cross-overs outside residents' homes enabling them to drive across the pavement into their properties. Many people don't realise that lowering the kerb is illegal, since only Bexley Council can authorise works on the public highway.

If an illegal crossover is installed, the householder is then responsible if an accident occurs.

Anyone who has been approached by Kennedys, or who would like a council estimate for a crossover, can call Mr Cannon at the works and contracts department on 0181 303 7777, extension 3530.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.