TADLEY police have warned pensioners to be on their guard after a conman tried to talk an elderly couple into paying for work on their roof when there was nothing wrong with it.

Ivor and Betty Tipper, who are both in their 80s, were at their home in Valley Way, Pamber Heath, last Friday, when the man rang their doorbell.

Mrs Tipper, 82, let the man in after he arrived at around 10.30am, saying he was from a roof repair company and had come to fix some loose tiles.

He attempted to convince the couple that he was on a follow-up visit from a genuine building company that had actually fixed their roof in September - but they didn't fall for his lies.

Housebound Mr Tipper, 83, said: "He said 'you remember me don't you? Your roof tiles are loose and we've come to mend them for you'.

"Well, I have got my wits about me even if I don't have my bodily strength. I knew something funny was going on."

Mr Tipper - who has anaemia and breathing problems which mean he has to use an oxygen tank - asked the man to prove he was from the genuine builder's firm.

When the caller was unable to answer questions about this, the pensioner asked him to leave.

Mr Tipper rang his original builder to check the man's claims and when he realised they were completely false, he alerted the police to the attempted con.

He told The Tadley Gazette of his fears that other elderly people might fall victim to a similar scam.

"I feel strongly that the elderly or infirm, and even young people, should be very, very aware that these people exist," he said.

"They are around, especially at Chris-mas, because they want money and they'll try and squeeze it out of you."

Mrs Tipper added: "It's not right for people to go around telling elderly people they need work doing. These people think we are nave and it's not right."

Pc Mark Smith, beat officer for Pamber Heath, suspects the same man may have visited other nearby homes in the village the same morning.

He warned: "There are a number of con tricks performed by certain individuals which might involve trying to get people to agree to have work done that they don't need.

"These people tend to target the elderly, and try to con them into handing over large sums of money.

"If anybody does come to your house unannounced, claiming to be a workman or a builder, ask for identification. If you are unsure about them, do not let them in."

Mr and Mrs Tipper have described their rogue caller as white, aged around 25, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, of stocky build with a round face and short brown hair. He wore navy blue trousers and an anorak of the same colour, and was driving a white van.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Smith at Tadley police station on 0845 045 45 45.