A "despicable" cowboy builder charged an elderly man and sister, in their 80s, £1,300 for only four hours' work on their roof.

The con prompted county trading standards officers to issue fresh warnings to elderly people about cowboy workmen turning up on their doorsteps and offering to do repair work.

Sergeant Glenn Jackson, of Malton police, said a man, aged between 30 and 40, called at an address in the town's Old Maltongate.

The trickster told the woman of 85 and her 82-year-old brother that their neighbour had sent him because their gutters were leaking.He also said the roof and chimneys were in need of repair.

Sgt Jackson said: "This bloke said it was going to cost £1,500 to put right. The householders knew the roof was in a bit of a mess, but they said it was a bit expensive.

"The man said he would do it on that day for £900. He did two hours' work, cleared the gutters and did some work on a chimney."He then said the other chimney also needed doing, and he would do this the next day for a further £400.

"Basically, he has charged £1,300 for four hours' work - that's £350 an hour, which is disgusting.

"All he has done is taken some cement and thrown it at the chimney."

The trickster, who did not give his name or leave a receipt, has collar-length dark hair, was wearing a yellow waterproof jacket when he called at the house. He was driving a red car with ladders on the roof.

Sgt Jackson said: "It's despicable that people are preying on the elderly in this way."

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