FOUR girls stole £500 of winter savings from a pensioner after tricking their way into his front room.

Cyril Gore, 84, had just received the cash to cover his heating bill, plus a week's pension.

He says he has been taken for a fool by the gang - all believed to be aged around 15 - and will not let anyone into his home again without ID.

The retired gardener suffers from arthritis and has lived on his own in Chafy Crescent, Sturry, near Canterbury, since his wife died nearly 10 years ago.

At around 2.45pm on Tuesday he went to investigate a noise in his back garden.

He said: "I thought it might be my daughter, but when she didn't call out I went to have a look. This girl was there and she said she and her friends had come to visit the lady next door but there was no answer.

"She asked for a pencil and pen to write a note for her, but when I went to get one they followed me in. I handed the girl the pad. She took it and seemed to be writing something down, and then she started chatting about my arthritis.

"The others were standing behind by my bureau but I didn't take much notice of them. They didn't hang around long; they said thanks for the paper and just left."

A couple of hours later Mr Gore was watching television when he noticed one of the drawers in his bureau was slightly open. Closer inspection revealed the gang had taken a tin full of receipts and an envelope under it containing the money.

Mr Gore added: "I'd been to the post office on Saturday to get my £400 winter fuel money and on Monday I'd gone to get my pension to make it up to £500. I've been taken for a fool, really."

Det Sgt Jeff Vincett said: "These types of crimes against the elderly and vulnerable in our community are particularly cowardly.

"Around £125 each is a significant amount of money for these girls to have and the incident happened at a time when nearly all children that age should be at school. Someone will know who they are."

He added: "You should always use a door bar and never let anyone into your home unless you are certain you know exactly who they are, whatever excuse they give, and always check ID."

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Vincett on 01227 762055.