THE Exeter boss of a paintball business is warning people to be on their guard against unscrupulous street sellers.

Martin Collins, managing director of the successful Skirmish Paintball Games, based in Stoke Woods on the edge of the city, fears some Christmas shoppers may be left disappointed by the sellers purporting to be offering tickets for his site.

Mr Collins said there was no connection between his firm and the one operating on the streets offering entry tickets to his Stoke Woods site.

He said: "The street seller is actively telling prospective purchasers that they can play at my venue, Skirmish Paintball Games, Stoke Woods, Exeter. He is also giving them my phone number.

"He tells them that we are an affiliated site and they can use his tickets with us.

"Nothing could be further from the truth, we want to distance ourselves from this mis-selling.

"Unfortunately we are getting calls from mums who have bought tickets for their children ringing us to try and book in, they are getting angry and distraught when they discover the truth.

"I have involved the police and informed the trading standards, but he is still there."

"I have built this business over the last 25 years, and I have good reputation in Exeter, I feel my business is being damaged by association."