A scheme to warn the the elderly and vulnerable about rogue traders and bogus callers is under way in Thanet.

The isle’s Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Terry McCormick, who is based at Margate Police Station, initially came up with the idea to quickly distribute alerts together with the latest home safety advice to elderly and potentially vulnerable people who might not otherwise receive it.

The Senior Watch information is sent free to subscribing organisations, including community nurses, meals on wheels firms, day centres and retirement clubs to pass on to their clients, patients, members and friends that they see every day.

Hundreds of people are now receiving the updates and its success has meant it is being expanded to include people with learning difficulties who are living independent lives in the community.

Terry said: “This allows us to communicate with members of the community who may otherwise slip through the net when it comes to advice and information from the police and associated organisations. They receive the information from a trusted means, including carers and nurses, and they receive it quickly.”

Sandra Matthew is the chief officer at Age Concern Margate. She said they receive it via email and display it at the centre with nearly 50 people a day seeing it. She added: “It is an excellent idea."