Trading Standards watchdogs are warning householders not to take part in bogus mailshots offering discount goods and prizes.

The Hertfordshire Trading Standards office is issuing its caution after residents were targeted by mailings from several Netherlands-based operations.

The mailshots, which are all posted in Milan, ask for a fee of between £19.80 and £26.50 to enable goods to be despatched or promise a cash prize with the 'opportunity' to buy goods.