IF you are sick of people trying to sell stuff on the phone, or callers who ring off as soon as you answer, there is a cure. One local woman was fed up with mysterious calls, sometimes five or six a day, from what she thought was a would-be burglar or a phone pest. But when she complained, BT told her it was down to “power calling” by sales people; this involves several people being called at the same time, and the excess who answer are left with no reason for the cut-off.

The answer is to ring 0800 398 893 and within 28 days it will be illegal for these companies to call you any more.