DISGUSTED Age Concern staff have issued an urgent warning after reports of a group of cowboy builders preying on elderly Bolton residents.

The workmen have told pensioners in the Wigan Road area of Deane that Age Concern would refund the bills after the work.

At least one woman handed over £600 for "urgent repairs" on her roof and chimney.

Bolton Age Concern chief officer Gareth Evans said: "It is absolute nonsense for these men to claim the elderly will be able to claim money from Age Concern to refund their bills. But sadly the fact that they mention our name adds some impression of credibility to their reputation. It is a very callous trick."

Age Concern and the police were alerted by a local newsagent who became suspicious after hearing customers talk about the door-to-door calls from the workmen.

Mr Evans added: "These people did not break the law because in the eyes of the law the lady willingly handed over the money.

"But I would urge all Bolton's elderly residents to be on guard and urge them to be wary of anyone who suddenly turns up out of the blue offering to do some building work."

Age Concern in Ashburner Street offers advice on where to find reputable traders and how to maintain adequate insurance policies.

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