EAST Lancashire residents could hold the key to catching a "despicable" conman who fleeced cash out of an elderly woman.

Detectives have launched a hunt for the man who targeted the 92-year-old woman at her home in Fence.

Police have appealed for the public's help in catching the bogus worker who struck at the victim's Wheatley Lane Road home and they have warned other old people to be on their guard.

Officers said the pensioner was left traumatised by the deception.

The man in his 40s called at the woman's home and offered to cut her hedge. Police said he charged "a large" sum of money for the work.

Community leaders in the village have spoken of their shock and branded the offence "sickening".

Sergeant Tom Riley, of Nelson Police, said: "We are treating this as a deception. A man turned up at her house and persuaded her to allow him to cut her hedges. He trimmed the tops of them, charged a large sum of money for the work and left."

He added: "We are appealing for anybody who may know the identity of this man or anybody who saw this man in the area to contact police with information.

"This incident has left the old lady traumatised, although there was no violence she's been left confused and in a state of shock so we would like to speak to this man."

Old Laund Booth ward councillor John David blasted the offence as "despicable".

The Liberal Democrat councillor, of Wheatley Lane Road, said: "This is absolutely despicable. It's sickening to think that somebody could do this to a vulnerable old person.

"I would encourage anybody who has seen this man in the area to come forward and give the police information. I would also warn people in the area not to accept help from strangers and suggest that people do not keep cash in their homes."

The incident took place on Saturday afternoon.

The offender is described as white, 40 years old, stocky, with short, dark cropped hair, clean shaven, wearing a brown long sleeved sweater and pale trousers.

He was driving a royal blue old transit van with yellow writing on the side.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.