POLICE are warning residents in Bolton to be on their guard against bogus callers after an elderly man was conned out of hundreds of pounds.

The con artists took cash from a 78-year-old man after claiming they had carried out work at his house.

Detectives have now released this picture of a business flyer which they believe was put together by the rogue traders behind the scam.

The man's district nurse called police during a visit to his house in Turton Road, Turton, at around 1.25pm yesterday after she saw two men at the house.

They introduced themselves as builders carrying out work for the victim, but the man told the nurse that he had not asked them to do anything.

He then told the nurse that the men were due to take him to the bank that afternoon to withdraw money.

Det Con Mike Mather, from Bolton CID, said: "It turns out that the offenders have been coming to this man's house regularly, claiming to have done work and forcing him to go to the bank.

"The victim is not exactly sure how long this has been going on for, but we are finding that out at the moment, as indeed calculating the exact amount of money lost.”

He added: "Clearly this is a very vulnerable man who feels cheated, and I dread to think how long this could have gone on for if someone had not intervened and called us.

"We are now sending out this flyer, asking if anyone else has been approached by this bogus enterprise.

"If you recognise the flyer, or if the descriptions strike a chord, please get in touch."

The men are described as white and in their 50s. One of them is of stocky build and is bald.

A 51-year-old and 56-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of theft and were today in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5746, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.