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With the Christmas shopping season nearly upon us, the Council’s trading standards team is reminding residents and local businesses about new laws which give them more rights when giving and receiving gifts.

The new Consumer Rights Act came into force last month. Key changes include:

* Returns and refunds – if an item breaks within 30 days, the buyer can now demand a no-quibble refund.

* Digital content rights – The new legislation sets out for the first time you rights when you buy digital content such as music and film downloads. It must be as described and if an item falls below expectation, the new rights are enforceable against the retailer, rather than the developer.

* Delivery rights – The retailer is now responsible for goods until they are in your physical possession; they are responsible for the service provided by a courier. This means they can no longer blame the delivery company if something is damaged. Unless an extended date was agreed at the time of purchase, retailers have to deliver goods within 30 days. If they do not, buyers have a right to a full refund.

* Failed repairs – After one failed attempt by the retailer to repair or replace a faulty item, you are entitled to a refund, price reduction or another repair or replacement at no cost.

* Unfair contract terms – The key terms of a contract could be assessed for fairness unless they’re both prominent and transparent.