POLICE have released CCTV pictures of men they suspect of conning an elderly woman out of thousands of pounds from her savings and pension.

For more than a year the pensioner, who lives at Rainham, was targeted by at least 12 bogus workmen who claimed she owed them large sums of money for jobs carried out.

But in each case, little or no work had been done.

The 79-year-old became so distressed, she contacted Medway police who installed a CCTV camera in her bungalow last February. Det Con Julia Burnham said: "These men have targeted a very trusting, elderly lady and we are keen to stop anyone else becoming a victim."

The pensioner's family first became suspicious when she was charged £2,000 for having her roof swept when earlier that month she had paid £850 for the same job. On another occasion, one conman accompanied the woman on a bus to Maidstone to withdraw some money, but when she refused to show him her cheque book, only to return to her home later that day demanding money for his bus fare.

The pensioner has also lost sentimental items including a china pig and teddy full of money and a British Empire Medal which she received for her service as a cook at Pembroke House. The bogus workmen would arrive at the pensioner's home, often with no work tools, and charge extortionate amounts of money for work they would do with the woman's own equipment.

She has also forked out £300 for having her paving slabs cleaned and £400 for having her guttering cleared after the fraudsters told her they had to return for extra instalments.

Daughter-in-law Dorothy Griffiths ,who lives in Wigmore,said: "She is such a sweet lady and never grumbles about anything. She is also very trusting and on the video footage you can hear her asking the men "what work have you done for me?".

"She is only tiny and they were such big men.

It makes you feel sick to the stomach and even if the police could catch one of the men it might stop the rest of them and stop it from happening to anyone else. She is such an independent lady and she likes being in her own home.

"We are grateful for the media coverage because it might help. They are such low-lifes and they must have passed her address around for her house to be the only one targeted all the time."

If you have any information ring Medway police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111