AN ELDERLY couple parted with £1,500 for work to their drive that they did not even want done.

Three men parked a white van at the end of the couple’s driveway at their Bearsted home and began digging it up. Then then knocked on the door and said that if they wanted the "job" completed it would cost them £1,200.

The pensioners agreed but were then told the price had escalated to £1500, which they paid in two cheques.

Their son has condemned the men for targeting vulnerable people.

He said: "It’s absolutely disgusting that people should prey on the elderly like this.

"Both my parents are in their 80s, and my mother is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and she is often confused in any case. My father has had two major strokes and can’t walk very well.

"Of course they shouldn’t have handed over any money, but they were intimidated."

The incident was reported to Maidstone and Malling Police, who interviewed the couple but said no crime had been committed.

A spokesman said: "At some stage the couple consented to a price for the work. At this point it became a civil matter.

"Afterwards there was a dispute over the price and the quality of the work, but we understand that no threats were made."

The householder involved in the case said: "They gave me the impression they were going to asphalt the drive, but they only covered it in black paint. It’s a horrible mess."