PENSIONERS' groups are warning older people to be on their guard against bogus callers after thieves stole a couple's life savings.

Gladys, 89, and Harry Birch, 80, lost cash they had been saving to pay for a stairlift in their home when two bogus social workers conned their way into their home in Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington.

Police have also revealed that there has been a spate of bogus callers in the Whalley New Road and Brownhill areas of Blackburn. People have been offering to carry out work and asking for money up front or distracting homeowners to steal items from houses.

Age Concern Hyndburn have now issued renewed warnings to help older people make sure they are not ripped off by imposters calling on their home, especially during the festive season. They are also organising regular crime prevention talks by police at their day centres. The guidelines include checking the identity of all callers and asking callers to wait outside if unsure if they are genuine. Older homeowners should also beware of offers of rebates or money and doorstep salesmen. They should be particularly careful of two or more callers, one of whom can distract residents while the other searches the house. Hyndburn Age Concern's chief officer Patrick Collister said: "If in any doubt about callers, older people should not hesitate to seek assistance and advice. "The Accrington Police crime prevention unit are always available to offer assistance as are we.

"We will always make every attempt to support older people who may feel at risk from bogus callers and, if at all possible, will attempt to verify the validity of callers."

Deputy chief officer, Julie Barnes, added: "Older people tend to be targeted at this time of year when they may have more cash in the house and bogus callers know this. Unfortunately older people tend to be very trusting and they are taken advantage of in this way, they need to be really careful."

The charity is warning pensioners to be especially wary of cowboy workmen.who offer to carry out house repairs. They are advising old people to fit door chains and viewers so they can see who callers are before opening the door.

Gladys, who needs two walking sticks to move around, innocently prepared cups of tea for the thieves, who struck following a number of similar incidents in the area. The theft, which police described as "despicable", was discovered when Harry saw the man and the girl running off down the street.