RESIDENTS are being warned after a teenager tried to gain access to a house by pretending to be checking for damp.

Bolton at Home has issued a warning to people across the area after the incident last week.

The man tried to gain access to a house in Staton Avenue, in Breightmet at around 1.15pm on Friday.

He was wearing a navy crew neck jumper with red detail and told the resident he was in the area to check all the houses for damp on behalf of Bolton at Home.

He was not carrying any identification and the resident did not allow them to come into the property so reported it to Bolton at Home.

The housing provider has confirmed that it had no operatives in the area carrying out such work.

The man has been described as aged around 17 or 18, of average height, slim build, dark hair and of foreign appearance.

The incident has now been reported to the police and people are being urged to be alert.

A Bolton at Home spokesman said: "We would like to remind all our customers to always ask for ID and report any incidents of a similar nature to safeguarding on telephone number 01204 328008."

Greater Manchester Police offers advice to residents on how to protect themselves from cold callers.

This includes always looking to see who is at the door before you open it and installing an outside light to help see callers.

Last week concerns were raised after two men tried to gain access to an elderly man's home in Little Hulton.

They approached the 89-year-old and said they were installing drainage and wanted to carry out a quick survey.

He asked them for identification and they then went back to their van to get it and did not return.

Police launched an appeal to try and identify the men.