NEW regulations to clamp down on rogue traders could come into effect later this month.

More than half the businesses contacted for a study said "cowboy" tradesmen's "unfair sales practices" affects their profits.

Of those, one in ten estimate rogue traders are costing them more than one fifth of their revenue, while 38 per cent said it is costing them between ten and 20 per cent.

A fifth of small business leaders said they had previously worked in organisations that encouraged questionable tactics and were even actively trained to do so.

But the Consumer Protection Regulations (CPRs), to be decided by Parliament on May 26, will ban 31 practices including bogus closing-down sales, prize draw scams and aggressive doorstep selling.

John Wright, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), welcomed the new law.

"Legitimate businesses should no longer have to face unfair competition from firms who use underhand tactics," he said.

The Gazette has already reported how Essex County Council is warning residents in St John's, Colchester, to be on their guard after traders were spotted canvassing the area. Some residents, who have had work done, have been left dissatisfied.

For more information about the new law, visit businesslink. gov.uk/unfairtrading