HUDDERSFIELD has become the latest area to be targeted by con artists selling fish door-to-door.

Salesmen have been trying to pass off poor quality defrosted fish as expensive fresh fish.

Peter Batchelar, of Beaumont Park, fell victim to the scam on October 23.

He was visited by people with Geordie accents dressed as fish salesmen, claiming to be from North Sea Fisheries, North Shields.

They said they were selling expensive fresh Atlantic sea bass, wild salmon, halibut and monkfish at attractive prices.

It was packaged in presentation boxes and Mr Batchelar was not allowed to look at the fish in the van.

However, he paid £60 for a box only to find that he had bought cheap fish, like coley, which was poor quality.

He said: "Looking back we were stupid to buy but we were off on holiday in a rush.

"It's not good quality fish. It also seems to have been previously frozen, which means it needs eating the same day.

"But they were saying we could freeze and keep it, which could be dangerous.

"We've found out the company does not exist, so Trading Standards have been unable to do anything.

"But people can be on their guard. We certainly will be."

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service said it was aware of the problem.

Analysis has confirmed the fish is not of the types the salesmen claimed and had been previously frozen.

Martin Wood, chief officer for West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, said: "The perpetrators blitz an area for a day then leave without trace.

"In the majority of cases our officers have very little information to act upon making any subsequent investigations extremely difficult."

He advised people to be cautious and ask for identification from fish sellers.

"If you have any doubts at all, then don't buy."

Consumers who think they may have fallen victim to the conmen should ring the Department of Trade and Industry's Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.