Elderly and vulnerable people are to be given hi-tech devices to block nuisance calls.

Prime Minister Theresa May said the £500,000 project was the latest Government initiative to tackle 'the blight of rogue traders' and create a fairer society.

The project, co-ordinated by the National Trading Standards Scams Team and supported by local trading standards departments, is the latest of a series of Government crackdowns on nuisance callers.

The devices will block all recorded messages, silent calls and calls from numbers not already pre-identified by the home owner.

Mrs May said: 'This new, targeted scheme is the latest step in the Government’s fight against nuisance calls, protecting those who are most at risk, including those with dementia.

'We have seen people tricked out of thousands of pounds by scam callers and this Government is determined to clamp down on their activities once and for all.'

Lord Toby Harris, chair of National Trading Standards, said 'We know that these call blockers can make a real difference to people’s lives and give those in vulnerable situations, such as those with dementia, and their families a greater sense of protection and security.'