BOGUS workmen were sent packing by two elderly residents who they tried to trick into handing over cash.

An 85-year-old woman, who lives in Grindsbook Road, Radcliffe, was approached by a man who claimed he had completed work on the guttering of her house.

She knew no work had been done and refused to pay him any money. The man left empty handed.

He was white, in his early 30s, around 6ft tall and stocky.

The incident took place at around 3.30pm last Monday.

As around 5.45pm the same day, an 87-year-old man who lives in St Peter's Road, Bury, called police after a man demanded cash for work he claimed to have completed on his roof.

The victim asked the man to point out what had been done.

He told the man to come back with an official estimate and registered bill before he would pay him anything.

The man was white, in his 50s, stocky, around 5ft 6ins tall, with chubby cheeks and dark hair.

Det Insp John Mazzolai said: "These people did exactly the right thing in challenging the supposed work completed. Any legitimate caller will happily provide identification and an official bill for their work.”