The family of an elderly woman living in Haworth are furious after she was targeted by a high-pressure salesman into parting with £100 for a stairlift she did not need.

Now trading standards chiefs are investigating a mobility company after a stream of complaints about high-pressure selling to vulnerable elderly people.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards officers have received at least 16 complaints about ABM Mobility from victims and their relatives, including in Bradford, Bingley and Keighley.

The company, based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, had an interim injunction granted against it at Nottingham County Court in October, ordering it to trade legally and fairly following more than 100 complaints.

Now West Yorkshire trading standards officers are liaising with colleagues in Derbyshire after the latest allegations.

Tony Garland contacted police after his 89-year-old grandmother, Marion Cooper, was persuaded by an ABM salesman who called at her home in Haworth to hand over £100 towards a stairlift.

The cash was repaid the following day after Mr Garland contacted the company, police and the Telegraph & Argus. Police then alerted trading standards.

Mr Garland said: “A salesman turned up at my grandmother’s home. He said he was there about a stairlift.

“He persuaded her to hand over £100. She wouldn’t have wanted a stairlift fitting because she is moving to a flat anyway.

“It is diabolical. My grandmother is a very vulnerable old lady. She is a widow, living on her own, and in poor health.”

A police spokesman said they were called by a Guiseley man about concerns that traders had persuaded her to part with cash for mobility goods.

He said: “An officer was despatched to the house after a 999 call was made by the man on discovering a salesman from the firm had attended at the property again, this time to return the money taken.

“While no crime was committed, the attending officer had concerns regarding the conduct of the firm in approaching the lady, who is vulnerable, and reported the matter to trading standards.”

Graham Hebblethwaite, chief trading standards officer for West Yorkshire, said: “We are aware of a number of complaints made by concerned relatives of vulnerable older adults, usually in their 80s and 90s, often with dementia, and usually confused, who were victims of high-pressure selling.

“We are working closely with Derbyshire Trading Standards and taking statements from victims and relatives to support further action to stop this trading.”

Mr Hebblethwaite urged carers and relatives of older people to be aware of such companies.

He added: “While there are many legitimate companies, there are some that prey on the vulnerable. It is despicable to take advantage of people in the twilight of their years who are easy targets.”

e-mail: steve.wright @telegraphandargus.co.uk