TWO elderly women were conned out of hundreds of pounds by bogus workmen who called at their homes.

Police today warned people to be on guard against tricksters following the incidents which officers said could be connected.

The first strike happened in Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, when two men called at the home of an 86-year-old woman saying she needed building work doing.

The pensioner agreed and said she would give the conmen a cheque, but they demanded cash.

They told her they had already started the work and needed money to pay for scaffolding.

But they left with £580 and never returned.

In the second theft a man befriended a 74-year-old, in Woodside Terrace, Nelson, offering to do gardening for her. As the victim was helping to carry gardening tools from the house she lost sight of the offender, who stole her purse containing £20 and bank cards.

Sergeant Robin Lancaster said the women were not injured but left shaken by the incidents.

He said: "People should always seek work from reputable firms and never from people calling at your door and certainly never hand over any cash.

"If people call at your house always ask for identification and if you are concerned contact the police.

"It could be these incidents are linked and we would like to hear from anybody with information about them or who has seen anything or who have had similar incidents happen to them."

The incident in Barkerhouse Road happened at about lunchtime last Friday. The men were white, slim, 5ft 10ins with short brown hair. One was in his late 30s the other his late 20s. Both were wearing T-shirts and jeans.

The other theft happened at 6pm on Tuesday. The offender was white, 5ft 6ins, 18-20, clean shaven with cropped fair hair. He was wearing a blue check shirt.

Anyone with information about any incidents involving bogus callers should contact police on 01282 425001.