A YORK councillor has warned traders about an "internet offer" which could see businesses shelling out hundreds of pounds for a service they do not need.

Heworth councillor Paul Blanchard has urged firms to be on their guard after he was contacted by language school English In York, which received an "invoice" for nearly £500 from a Denmark firm.

The company wanted £499 payment for adding the Coney Street-based school to an internet search page.

Coun Blanchard said: "These firms make it look like the service has already been ordered, and they rely on the invoice being automatically passed to the accounts department - in error - who in turn pay out a large sum of money, for a 'service' that's worthless. They send out literally thousands of these invoices at a time."

The bill which quotes an address in Denmark, has an invoice number, a "payment due" date, a "customer account number", and even a bank giro credit tear-off slip. Coun Blanchard said he had contacted City of York Council's Trading Standards Department, which had promised to try to take action through the International Liaison Division of the Office of Fair Trading.

Richard Hawker, divisional manager for English In York, said "These things are a nuisance. They need to be stopped."

Trading Standards officers in North Yorkshire are also aware of the company and have advised people they can obtain a similar service themselves for approximately £50.

Updated: 10:39 Saturday, September 20, 2003