A NEW 'No Cold Calling' zone has been launched in a residential area of Watton.

A NEW 'No Cold Calling' zone has been launched in a residential area of Watton.

Watton mayor Margaret Holmes officially launched the zone on Thursday covering nearly 130 homes in the Langmere Road, Ringmere Road, Ringmere Close, Wayland Avenue and Three Post Road areas.

She spoke of the value of such a scheme which was already showing signs of success with far fewer incidents reported. She hoped that other areas would follow the Langmere Road area example and apply to the police and the town council for consideration of having zones created.

'The cold calling zone is a good initiative and came about very much from a community effort and we hope that other areas will look at taking this up,' said Ms Holmes.

Town councillor Barbara Anderson and Ross McGraph have been working to get approval of creating the zone with the support of Watton Town Council.

There have been a number of incidents in the area where people have been walking into private gardens unsolicited wanting to sell products such as solar panels to the occupants.

But under the new scheme there will be official Norfolk County Council signs advising would-be callers that the area is a 'No Cold Calling' zone and they must only approach homes where they have previously made appointments with the owners.

Town clerk Jacqui Seal said that the town council backed the scheme.