ELDERLY people in a town have been warned to be on their guard against a rogue trader who has fleeced hundreds of pounds from at least three people.

In the past few weeks, the man has called at addresses in Stanley, offering to do gardening or block paving work.

On each occasion he has collected a deposit, ranging from £135 to £165, arranged to return to carry out the work - but then failed to turn up.

Detective Consstable Kev Cheston said the victims of the bogus workman, both men and women, ranged in age from 60s to their early 80s.

He said: "It is obvious this person has targeted vulnerable people and there could be many more victims that we don't know of.

"Cold calling - turning up at a house unannounced and demanding money up front - is not the way reputable tradesmen would do business.

"We want to warn people to be on their guard about such behaviour."

He added that the golden rule about any doorstep caller was: If in doubt keep them out.

DC Cheston is anxious to hear if there are any other victims who may have been too embarrassed to contact the police.

Anyone with information can ring 0845-60-60-365, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.

The Northern Echo launched its Doorsteppers campaign in 2003 to crack down on bogus traders and cold callers in the region.