ELDERLY people are being warned to be vigilant after a conman gardener stole £1,000 from an 85-year-old pensioner.

The man's deception of the woman in Whinney Lane, Lammack, Blackburn, was the second theft he had carried out in a fortnight.

Police believe it is the same person who targeted a man in his 70s in Bentley Street, in the Accrington Road area of Blackburn, last month, because the description and method were almost identical.

He called at the woman's house on Wednesday afternoon claiming to be from Evergreen Landscapes.

He handed her a leaflet and asked if she needed any work to be done.

She said some shrubs needed cutting.

He took £1,000 for the job but did not return when he said.

On September 18, a conman called at the home in Bentley Street and said he was from Bootstrap Enterprises, a charity which looks after elderly people's gardens.

He arranged to do some landscaping work for £100 but never returned.

Elderly people have been warned by police to refuse entry if they have concerns about someone calling at their door and not to hand over cash.

That alert has been heightened as it appears the conman is growing in confidence by asking for more money.

Police have released an e-fit of the man they rare hunting. Det Con Catherine Duckworth, of Blackburn CID, said: "As far as we can tell it is the same man. We cannot be certain because they could be working in a group, but the descriptions and method are quite similar."

The conman was described as white, aged 35, about 5ft 8ins tall, with thick-set features, short dark-brown hair and a goatee-style beard. He was wearing overalls.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn CID 01254 353569.