POLICE are warning local people to beware of cowboy builders after an elderly Bare resident was conned out of £5,000.

The woman is still waiting for necessary roof repairs to be completed despite handing over the money, in one of a series of incidents which have hit the local area in recent months, with older people particularly vulnerable.

Lancaster police crime prevention officer Phil Corry said: "Reputable builders will never call door to door; they are always too busy to obtain work by that method.

"If anyone calls at your door saying that your home has a structural problem that can be repaired, be firm and, if necessary rude and abrupt, inform them you are dealing with it.

"Close the door and then contact the police immediately. You may have averted a crime but it will not have deterred the caller, they will just call somewhere else and attempt the same deception. The police need to know straight away."

When prospective builders call, residents have been warned to make use of door chains, and full identification sought before any discussions take place.

If a door chain is not in lace, the person should be contacted through the letterbox, door viewer or bay window.

Reputable alarm fitters do not call door to door. Anyone planning on fitting an alarm system should contact the crime prevention officer at Lancaster police station or contact the Lancashire Constabulary alarm manager on 01772 618125.

Any agreement should be in writing, so the buyer has a week's cooling off period in which he or she can cancel the contract.