Police are hunting a pair of distraction thieves who targeted a 90-year-old man.

Detectives have released an e-fit of a man they would like to trace after the incident in Whitstable.

Between 2pm and 4pm on July 22 they visited the elderly man and offered to carry out repairs on the guttering at a cheap rate.

While they were on the roof, the suspects invited the victim outside to the back garden to explain to him the chimney stack was in need of repair and offered to complete the work for more money.

The victim said that during the work, one of the suspects went to fetch some tools from their van parked at the front of the house and was gone a short time before returning to complete the work.

Shortly after the suspects finished and left, the victim realised a cashbox in his house had been damaged and a large amount of cash was missing.

The first suspect is described as white, 5 ft 7ins tall, of medium build with short dark hair and was wearing a jumper with the word ‘roofer’ on it.

The second man was also white, of a similar height with short dark hair.

The victim reported that both spoke with a protruding bottom lip.

An e-fit of the first suspect has been released by officers.

Investigating officer DC Peter Frampton said: "This case is concerning as these two men took advantage of an elderly man and then distracted him so they could steal from him.

"All residents in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay and the surrounding areas should remain vigilant and as always be very wary of cold callers offering to carry out work like this."

Police are also hoping to speak to anyone who has been approached in a similar way. Call 01843 222289 quoting ZY/022637/15.