UNWANTED callers who target vulnerable or elderly people could be stopped thanks to a new village initiative.

No Cold Calling Zones are already running in Boston, Kirton and Swineshead and the scheme was this week extended to Dorothy Close in Sibsey.

Set up by Boston Rural North's Neighbourhood Policing Team along with Trading Standards and Boston Borough Council, the aim of the initiative is to offer protection against rogue traders and distraction burglars.

Signs have been put up on lampposts telling potential callers that all residents in the area are not interested in buying goods or services on their doorstep.

The zone has a co-ordinator and residents have been given information packs about the initiative and advice about reporting suspicious activity to police.

Graham Penn , doorstep crime initiative co-ordinator for Trading Standards, said: "The zones have been really successful in other parts of the county.

"The more information available to residents the greater awareness they will have of bogus callers and distraction burglary offences.

"By raising their awareness the better chance we have in reducing the number of victims of this type of appalling offence."