Couple conned out of £1,000

HEARTLESS workmen conned an elderly Heathfield couple out of 1,000 after doing just 20 minutes worth of work.

The two men struck on Monday last week when they called at the home of the couple, who are both in their eighties.

The victims, who do not wish to be identified for fear of repeat incidents, were initially told that the work carried out on their roof would only cost them 5.

The 83-year-old grandfather of four said: 'They told me that they had noticed a piece of loose slate and broken brickwork around the chimney stack.

'When I looked, I could definitely see that there was some loose slate up there. They told me they could put it right for a fiver which sounded very reasonable to me.'

However, after less than half an hour's work, the two workmen claimed that the cost of repairs would be 1,500. After some haggling, the pair settled for 1,000, which was paid in cash.

Holiday

'I was conned but I didn't realise it at the time,' said the elderly victim. 'I really thought they were genuine until they had gone.

'We had saved that money up for a holiday. But there will be no holiday now.'

He described the two men as being in their forties, perhaps slightly older, and fairly well built with short, not quite shaven hair.

They were 'very well dressed' in sports casual wear and changed into smart blue overalls when they went on to the roof.

They had a dark blue open back van, with yellow or golden interior.

They left a professional looking business card on the kitchen table during their stay but remembered to take it with them when they left. However, the elderly man noticed that the card mentioned Edenbridge.

He said: 'They looked like twins but they said they weren't twins but they were brothers. And they were very polite.'

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: 'If you have any doubts about any callers to your house please contact us on 0845 6070999 immediately. Do not enter into anything with callers before you are sure they are genuine.'