A ROGUE trader who targeted an elderly Clevedon woman has been arrested by police and is being investigated by Trading Standards.

The woman in her 80s was outside her house in Cox Way when a man approached her and began hassling her to let him carry out work at her property.

He offered to cut her lawn, which she declined, and then said he would clear moss from her pathway and power wash it for �200.

Again she said no but the man then said he would do it for �150.

His approach left the woman feeling intimidated and pressurised so she eventually allowed him to begin the work even though he had shown her no paperwork.

When back in her house, the woman called her Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator who then called the police.

The officers went to the address and the man was arrested.

He has been released on police bail until January. In the meantime, he is being investigated by North Somerset Trading Standards.

Clevedon Neighbourhood Watch chairman Dave Brockington said: “I rang 999 as these people are the types we are trying to stop.

“Happily, the police were able to get there in time and arrest this man.

“That was an absolute success and shows that the Neighbourhood Watch scheme does work.

“It shows that anyone who is in a similar position should contact someone in uniform by dialling the three nines.”

Following the incident on October 7, the rogue trader is being investigated by Trading Standards for allegedly making misleading claims, aggressive selling and failing to give a cancellation notice.

If prosecuted by Trading Standards and told to appear in front of magistrates the man could face fines of up to �5,000.

If it is felt his case is serious to be heard at crown court, he could be given an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.