A cold caller burglar is being hunted by police after targeted an elderly at her home in Hythe.

The woman had £30 in cash stolen from her purse when the man followed her into her home after carrying out some work at her house.

He is reported to have visited the home in Shepherd's Walk and offered to carry out gardening work at some point between June 13 and 20.

The man, described as having a Newcastle accent and wearing a high-visibility jacket who drove a van, offered to trim a fir tree in her garden for £40.

Although telling police she was reluctant she agreed to allow him to carry out the work.

"Unfortunately we have no further description of the man so are particularly keen to hear from anyone else in the area who was also approached." Det Con Goodban

Det Con Rob Goodban, the investigating officer, said: "He then told her the tree was dying and needed removing completely, which he said he would do for another £260. Again, she reluctantly agreed, and he cut the tree down.

"After he had carried out the work we believe he followed her into her home and while she was writing him a cheque stole around £30 in cash from her purse."

Residents are now being warned to check the identification of all cold callers following the incident last month.

Police believe he was carrying a fake identity card as well.

Det Con Goodban added: "Unfortunately we have no further description of the man so are particularly keen to hear from anyone else in the area who was also approached by him offering to carry out work.

"No legitimate salesman or caller at your door should ever mind doing this.

"If you have further concerns about the validity of the identification, call the company or organisation the person says they are from.

"The advice is, never let anyone into your home unless you are confident they are who they say they are."

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/18978/15.