Woman bullied into parting with £700

Now police are not only appealing for witnesses but repeating their warning about doorstep callers.

PC Mick Dunn said two men called at a house in Maple Walk at about 2.30pm on April 7 and offered to cut the grass.

PC Dunn said the householder refused the offer but the men persisted in staying at the address on the pretext of offering to purchase the owner's car - which had not been offered for sale.

The men, who had a black saloon car, drove the householder to his bank where he was persuaded to withdraw 700.

PC Dunn said police advise householders to be extremely cautious in dealing with unsolicited callers.

"Their prices are often inflated to extreme proportions and the work is often of poor quality - if it is undertaken at all.

"If you haven't asked anyone to come to the house and they offer to do work it probably doesn't need doing at all.

"Don't let them bully or persuade you into doing anything you don't want done."

Police advice is to phone 999 for assistance.

PC Dunn is appealing for anyone who witnessed or who has information about the Maple Walk incident to contact him at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999, quoting serial SR1/2201/O5.