TRADING Standards officials have warned of the risks in buying last-minute tickets for top concerts.

Staffordshire Trading Standards has received concerned calls over the number of unofficial websites offering tickets for next week's Take That gigs.

Members of the public have been told by unofficial distributors to collect tickets from venues ahead of concerts.

But there are concerns that people will turn up at sold-out concerts in Coventry on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday only to be left disappointed.

Head of consumer support Brian Mycock said: "The unofficial agencies have professional websites, appear high on Google searches, often have a phone number to speak to their staff, and look legitimate. This makes it very difficult to tell the difference.

"Unfortunately taking action against such sites is not easy. Most of the websites are based and hosted outside the UK and the EU."

Buyers are advised to look for a registered UK address, read terms and conditions in full, pay by credit card, look for secure websites and save all information linked to the transaction. Anyone who has paid for a ticket from an "unofficial" website and has not received it should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.