THIS is the conman who stole £100 from a pensioner after pretending to be from a charity that looks after elderly people's gardens.

And detectives are warning other pensioners to be on guard following the duping of the man in his 70s in Bentley Street, in the Accrington Road area of Blackburn.

The conman pretended to be from Bootstrap Enterprises, based in Railway Road, Blackburn, and issued fake identification to persuade the victim of his authenticity.

Police have stressed that Bootstrap do not 'cold-call' at people's homes as this conman did. Its volunteers, who are unemployed people getting work experience, are referred by Twin Valley Homes.

The conman called at the house on September 18 at 1pm and said he had come to arrange some landscaping work and that he needed £100 for it.

Having been given the cash, the conman left the house and the pensioner never heard from him again. When he contacted Bootstrap he discovered he had been tricked. Det Con Chris Shaw, of Blackburn CID, said: "This type of crime is something that is quiet emotive and I would ask members of the public to exercise caution when unannounced people come to your house. If they have any concerns, they should contact the police or refuse the person entry.

"This type of offence is quite serious because of the age of the victim and we are endeavouring to find out the identity of the conman.

"The victim has been left very upset by the fact that he had been conned and had to part with £100 in cash.

"I would like anyone with information to contact us."

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

Anyone with information, call Blackburn CID 01254 353569.