A BOGUS workman told an elderly couple squirrels had damaged the roof of their home, then conned them out of almost £800.

Police said the man knocked on the door of the house, in Corinium Gate, Cirencester, on May 12 and said he had seen squirrels going into the roof area of the property.

The victim went to the bank and gave him a down payment of several hundred pounds, with the remainder to be paid on completion of the job.

The offender left with £795, going along Corinium Gate towards London Road, and did not return.

The suspect is described as white, 6 ' 3 ", possibly in his 20s - 30s, slim build, wearing a dark hoody with the hood up, large sunglasses covering most of his face, dark trousers, and dark gloves with plaster powder on them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 285 of 12 May.

A police spokesman said: “The public are reminded to be extremely cautious when someone approaches them offering to do work which is often unnecessary, avoid answering the door to people you are not expecting, do not hand over cash in advance, always get a receipt.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 285 of 12 May.

Information can also be given anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org