A vulnerable 78-year-old was 'scammed' out of more than £1,000 by a company selling 'anti-ageing' pills.

The pensioner was duped by a French firm who cold-called offering packages of vitamins and supplements.

Her ordeal has prompted a charity to issue a warning about phone calls targeting the elderly.

Ian Andrews, information and advice officer at Age UK Herne Bay and Whitstable, is urging people to stay vigilant after the woman lost £1,200.

The victim lives alone in Herne Bay and relies upon the day centre's services after suffering a stroke.

Mr Andrews said: "These companies ring up and elderly people give out their credit card details.

"Before you know it, a box comes through the post and a bill turns up and they've been debited."

The elderly woman was charged more than £114 for her first box of supplements.

"The invoice has a little bit at the bottom saying if you don't want this product, return it within 14 days to get a refund," said Mr Andrews. "But of course elderly people struggle to return it to France.

"Before you know it, a box comes through the post and a bill turns up and they've been debited..." - Ian Andrews, Age UK

"And if they do, the company don't always acknowledge they've got it back."

Mr Andrews and the elderly lady tried to cancel her subscription.

"I tried ringing them, but the phone didn't ring through," he said. "We emailed, but got no reply.

"Within a month, a box turned up in a box with different colours and with a different company name."

This went on for several months, including one in which the lady was charged more than £560.

"Each box was around the same price – each is exactly the same box with exactly the same things in it, but a different company name," said Mr Andrews.

"In the end, I contacted her bank and spoke to the fraud team. They refunded her and gave her a new card.

"But if she gives her details out again, they won't refund her a second time. And she's still getting calls from the company saying 'we're still sending you a box out'.

Mr Andrews says the woman's experience is not unusual.

"Another lady had £1,000 taken out of her account and sent to Australia quite recently," he said.

"I've put a sign up in the day centre to try to warn everyone here.

"My advice is to always say 'no'. If you haven't asked for it, you really don't need it, so no matter how persuasive these people are you need to say 'no' and put the phone down."