Angry residents in Shipley who fear they are being misled by sales represenatives have launched a poster campaign to highlight the problem.

Beryl Parker and Rita Lee, both of Wycliffe Gardens, drew up the posters after they were both targeted by a sales represenative claiming that 'npower' had taken over Yorkshire Electricity.

Mrs Lee, 65, said: "It is very distressing to be misled like this. I thought it sounded a bit strange and that I should check it out which I did by ringing the company."

Mrs Lee was visited by an npower representative last week.

"He was a pleasant young man, smartly dressed, and he said that npower had taken over Yorkshire Electricity and we should sign up," she said.

Mrs Lee said that she thought it was all above board and signed on the dotted line. But it was afterwards, reading through the literature left behind, that she realised that something didn't add up.

"I thought that if the company really had taken over we would have been informed about it by them," she said.

Beryl Parker was also duped into believing the company had been taken over and made a complaint to the company who said that it was her decision and agreed to cancel the transfer. But the pair have decided to highlight the practise in case elderly people were targeted.

"It was annoying and distressing for us but at least we were able to sort out the problem," said Mrs Parker. "The thing is, though, that a lot of elderly people live here and they are getting really worked up into signing. They don't understand and feel worried about signing."

Mrs Lee and Mrs Parker have put up the posters in and around Shipley. At the Costcutter store in Saltaire Road, proprietor Mr Singh said he had heard a number of complaints about the tactics.

He said: "Quite a few people seem to have come in contact with the reps but it does look as if older people are the target. I have had a few customers voicing concerns. They tried it on us but we hadn't heard anything from Yorkshire Electricity."

Graham Hebblethwaite, from West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said there had been a lot of calls from concerned consumers about npower representatives and their tactics.

He said: "The message here is that if you are happy with your current supplier then don't change. If you are unhappy, then it is up to you to go about changing it. But I would certainly not accept the say-so of a doorstep seller. Anyone who is concerned can call us on 0113 848 848 or call Energywatch on 0845 906 0708 or 0845 601 3131."

A spokesman for npower said bullying tactics were unacceptable. "These tactics are not something we condone and if we get complaints about reps then action will be taken," he said.

"npower's parent company, Innogy, have made a bid for Yorkshire Electricity but nothing has been finalised. We met with our reps and told them what they could and could not say and saying that we have taken over is definitely not what our reps should be saying."