PENSIONERS are being warned to be on their guard for a group of conmen posing as Lovejoys - the TV series about an antique dealer.

Following a spate of incidents in the Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall areas of Preston, police have urged elderly residents to take special care of their antiques.

But while the antics of television's Lovejoy were light-hearted, South Ribble pensioners think there's nothing funny about the bogus conmen.

The smartly dressed tricksters have already caught several residents off-guard.

A man posing as an antiques dealer stole a pair of gold engagement rings after being invited into the home of an elderly woman in Rosemead Avenue, Lostock Hall.

Before stealing the precious antiques - both diamond rings are more than 80 years old - the man showed the pensioner photographs of assorted antiques. He bought two items but neither were as valuable as the rings.

In an incident earlier this month, a conman carrying an antiques catalogue approached an elderly man in Old Hall Drive, Bamber Bridge, asking if he had any items for sale.

After being invited into the unsuspecting pensioner's home he bought one item but also helped himself to some cash.

Police aren't linking the thefts at the moment but are urging pensioners to be wary.

A Bamber Bridge Police spokesman said: "If an unexpected caller knocks on someone's door all we suggest is that they check for identification and check with the company who they claim to represent to make sure they are genuine."

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