AN ELDERLY man and his wife paid £2,000 to conmen who promised to replace the guttering on their home but left after several days with no repair work carried out.

Police say the workmen called at the Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, home of the couple, who are both in their 80s, and told them that repairs were needed to the roof.

They quoted a price and were given £200 immediately for materials. Over the next two days they asked for more money and removed the old guttering. On Thursday they left and did not return.

A police spokeswoman said: “This was an attack on two elderly and vulnerable people who were tricked into handing over £2,000 over a period of days.”

Police want to hear from anyone who has been approached by the conmen. One man is in his mid to late 40s, short, and wore a white baseball cap and dirty white overalls. His accomplice is 35, stocky, with short, dark brown hair and a round face. He wore dark trousers and a shirt.

They drove a grey transit-type van with ladders on the roof. At one stage the elderly couple saw a young boy aged about nine or ten sitting in the van cab. Thanet police can be contacted on 01843 231055