BEXLEY people are being warned to be on their guard with door-to-door electricity and gas salesmen.

The council's trading standards department issued the advice after a man discovered he had signed up to a new gas supplier without knowing it.

He only found out what had happened when he received a letter from British Gas saying it was sorry to lose his custom.

The man's gas meter had been read weeks earlier and he had signed a paper which he thought was confirmation of the reading.

Trading standards chief, Steve Putman said he had received several similar complaints.

He advised people to ask for comparative figures in writing and for time to consider them without the salesman.

“And never sign anything unless you are sure you want to change.”

If you have been misled, call trading standards on 020 8303 7777.