A MUSICAL to raise awareness on traders from hell, bogus lotteries and con artists is being held at the Elizabeth hall next Friday.

A MUSICAL to raise awareness on traders from hell, bogus lotteries and con artists is being held at the Elizabeth hall next Friday.

Devon County Council's Trading Standards Service, along with East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership is hosting 'Too Good to Be True! The Musical' to help people avoid falling prey to conmen.

The musical, which is based on actual events, will raise awareness about misleading postal draws, and lotteries and offer advice on how to deal with unscrupulous traders offering services for badly done and overpriced work.

There will also be advice and tips on how to avoid becoming the victim of 'distraction burglary' where conmen, often posing as officials, try to get access to elderly peoples homes to steal money and possessions.

The audience will meet Sydney the victim of a rogue Tarmac Tradesman and Mary who believes she has won a 'Holiday of a Lifetime'.

The show has been developed by the Solomon Theatre Company in conjunction with Trading Standards, Police and Community Safety Officers.

Councillor Roger Croad, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services said: "By presenting information through performance and involving the audience in a sing-a-long, the important message about how to avoid becoming a victim of scams and distraction burglary is put across in an entertaining and memorable way ".

The free performance will take place on Friday 2 October at Elizabeth Hall in Exmouth at 2.30pm.

There will also be free tea and cake and a chance to meet the police and trading standards officers.