TIPS are to be offered to consumers across Staffordshire as part of a national campaign.

During National Consumer Week, Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards officers will be offering advice to consumers at five venues throughout the county.

They will start with a launch event at Trentham Gardens on Saturday, where they will be joined by colleagues from Government-funded advice service Consumer Direct.

The week-long campaign runs until September 18 and this year's theme links in with the launch of the 'Know Your Rights' campaign by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

In addition to the event at Trentham, the county council's mobile unit will also be at:

Monday, September 14 – Morrisons, Newcastle, Milehouse;

Tuesday, September 15 – Sainsbury's, Stafford.

The officers will be at the venues from 10am until 3.30pm.

Staffordshire County Council deputy leader, Ian Parry, who will be attending the event at Trentham, said: "From finding a reputable local trader to returning faulty items or checking what should be in the small print of contracts, we want Staffordshire consumers to be confident and know what their rights are."

For details call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.