AN elderly woman has been repeatedly targeted by conmen who took thousands of pounds of her savings after offering to do repairs on her home.

Police are appealing for information about the three men who were operating in the Marton area of Middlesbrough.

The incidents occurred on various different dates at the 85-year-old victim’s house.

"The first incident took place on Friday, October 16 when a man attended her address to ask if she needed work doing to her home," said a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police.

"The man stated that the price to clean the gutters of her home would be £800 but would do it for £700. He said he would return on Monday, October 19 to carry out the work but did not.

"The man is described as white, small build and around 5ft 5ins tall. He was around 40 to 50-years-old, clean shaven with short sandy coloured hair.

"The man returned to the victim’s address on either Wednesday, October 21 or Thursday, October 22 and he returned with two other men."

The second man is described as 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build and in his 40s with short brown hair and he was clean shaven.

The third man is described as a teenager, of slim build and average height.

"The second man listed further work which needed doing to the victim’s home whilst the third man proceeded to carry out ‘work’ to the property," said the police spokesman.

"The victim ended up drawing thousands of pounds out of the bank for the three men and the second man was persuasive when speaking to her about the work and money which she ‘owed’ them.

"On Monday, October 26 the second man attended the victim’s address again and requested more cash from her for the ‘work’ they had done and the victim handed more cash over and he provided her with a receipt.

"It is unknown what vehicle the three men were travelling around in as they approached the victim’s house by foot."

Anyone who may have seen the men described or anyone who was in the area at the time of these incidents who may have witnessed anything is asked to contact PC Paul Forbes on the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org .