Vulnerable residents in North Ayrshire are to receive call blocking machines after spate of cold callers.

The council have discovered that many elderly people are not answering the phone due to sheer volume of unwanted calls they are receiving.

They are missing important phone calls and causing family concern when they do not answer.

Trading Standards have a number of call blocking machines to put into the most acute of cases including people with dementia who have fallen for scams in the past.

Cabinet member for economy councillor Alex Gallagher, said: "This is a great initiative and we're proud to be helping some of the area's most vulnerable people.

"There are people out there who systematically target those they know they can manipulate and take advantage of.

"Hopefully, the call blocking machines will make them feel secure in their home and allow them to live normally and speak to their friends and family and not be afraid or concerned every time the phone rings."

Last month, they urged locals to sign up to their cold caller sticker initiative which is used to deter cold-callers from chapping on doors.