CALLOUS rogue traders targeted an elderly man with learning difficulties in a doorstep sales scam that may have lasted months.

Door-to-door salesmen have conned the victim, who is in his 70s and described as trusting and vulnerable, out of large sums of money for poor quality food.

It is thought that for months the same group or person has sold fish to the man at "extortionate" prices.

He bought so much fish that he gave most of it away to family and neighbours in Byers Green, near Spennymoor, because he could not eat it.

In the most recent incident, before 1pm on Friday, he was sold six packets of low-cost biscuits for £40.

The suspect then drove away from the scene in a black car.

PC Richard Blamires, of Spennymoor police, said: "The gentleman doesn't really understand what has happened, but it has been very confusing and he has been conned out of money a number of times.

"We hope this is an isolated incident, but there could be people working as a group in a larger area who need to be stopped.

"We would encourage people to be more vigilant as they now will be in Byers Green and I'd urge anyone with information to get in touch to stop these heartless people targeting more vulnerable victims."

Anyone with information can call PC Blamires on 0845-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800-555-111.