RESIDENTS are being urged to be on the lookout for people offering to do works to trees while claiming to be authorised by the council.

Council staff or contractors will never cold call offering to do paid work.

A spokesman for Redditch Council said: "In the event that you are visited by a council employee for any reason, they will always be happy to show you their identification and provide an official contact at the borough council."

The reminder comes after a Winyates resident was convinced to part with cash by a man offering ‘tree services’, who falsely claimed to have council permission to carry out work on a tree on the roadside near their home.

The man took the payment and damaged the tree, which had to be put right by actual council tree surgeons.

Cllr Brandon Clayton, Redditch Council’s portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “Please be vigilant against such scams, which come around from time to time. The tree will recover, but the resident won’t see their money again.

"Please know that when it comes to work on trees the council doesn’t work like this and never will.

"Don’t ever give any money unless you’re satisfied that the person has the proper identification.”

Redditch borough has more than three million trees.

Maintaining trees on public land, such as paths, roadsides, council properties, and public open spaces, is almost always the responsibility of the borough council.

To report a suspected rogue trader contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06, or report illegal or suspicious activity to the Police on 101.