DETECTIVES are advising people to look out for conmen who might be moving operations to the Tyldesley area.

Last Thursday two men in a white van followed an 87-year-old woman to her Little Hulton home, told her they were carrying out maintenance work and persuaded her to withdraw money from her bank.

While the two men waited outside the bank, the woman told the cashier what had happened and the cashier notified the police and the duo disappeared.

Earlier another elderly woman was approached at her home by two men who said they were repairing gutters and would need a £250 deposit. They refused to say who they worked for and when she rang the council to as if the two men were official workers, they got back into their van and drove off.

One of the con-men is described as white, around 50-years-old, 5ft8ins to 6ft tall and medium built. He was detailed as wearing a checked dark cap with a dark coat and dark trousers.

The second bogus official was described as white, between 20 to 30-years-old, 5ft 8in to 6ft tall and medium built. He had dark hair, wore dark trousers and a navy top with a white logo on the side of the chest. Both men has Irish accents and were in a white Ford Transit van.

CID Detective Constable Neil Charnock said: "We believe these two incidents are linked and warn residents to be wary of these two men posing as bogus officials.

"They have targeted elderly residents in both of these incidents.

"I would particularly appeal to elderly members of the community to stay vigilant and report any suspicious circumstances like this to the police.

"We would also like to advise people in surrounding communities including Tyldesley to be wary.

"If people are unsure, they should not let anyone in their homes until they can verify their identity. Anyone who may have seen the incidents or anything suspicious should contact CID on 0161 856 5355 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.