AN 83-year-old Kelsall man was targeted by bogus tradesman who conned him out of £850.

On August 6 the elderly victim of the Old Coach Area was approached on the street by two men who said they were working in the area and they had noticed a problem with the roof of the victim’s property. The two men offered to do the work for £1700. Eventually a figure of £900 was negotiated and the men said they would replace some felting for the elderly man.

A police spokesman said: “After the men were paid the elderly man decided to ask a legitimate builder to examine the roof. He said that the value of the work done would be approximately £50.”

One of the men was described as, a white male, six feet tall, of stocky build around 35 years of age with light brown hair. He had blue eyes and a round face and spoke with what is described as a Cheshire accent. He was wearing jeans and a light coloured top.

The second man was of mixed race, 5ft 6in tall and of medium build, aged around 35 years, he had brown eyes and was wearing a baseball cap. He was wearing a blue zip up top with a tee shirt underneath and blue jeans.

The men arrived in a white transit type van with white coloured ladders on the roof.

Police are appealing for witnesses anyone with information should call PC Benjamin Kidd in Western Rural NPU on 0845 458000, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 5551111.