Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are warning people to be on their guard after two men pretending towork for the organisation tried to gain access to a West Cornwall home.

A Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service: "Two men, who were in a brown van with a fire service sign placed in the front window and who claimed they were from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, arrived unannounced and asked a householder if the property was fitted with smoke alarms and fire doors. They showed a form of ID but did not enter the premises.

The resident was suspicious and contacted CFRS who had no record of any home fire safety checks scheduled for that area at that time.

Prevention manager Nick Harvey from CFRS said: “If it is a genuine home fire safety check it will usually be by appointment and our firefighters will be wearing a uniform and carrying an identification card.

"Please ask to see the identification card, and if you require confirmation telephone the freephone helpline 0800 3581 999.”