A PENSIONER in Seend is the latest victim of bogus callers after two men posing to be checking damp proofing in his home made off with cash and a gold watch.

Wiltshire Police have released an artist's impression of one of the hoax callers who visited the elderly man's home in The Lye in early December.

After they had left his home he discovered a substantial amount of cash missing as well as a treasured gold watch.

Police now hope anyone who may have seen the two men in the Seend area will contact them. Spokesman David Taylor said: "These two men pretended to be checking the damp proofing.

"We are looking at the similarities between this incident and one in Marlborough when two men targeted elderly residents pretending to be water board officials."

In Marlborough last month bogus callers stole an 87-year-old woman's Christmas savings.

At each of the four addresses they visited one man asked to be taken into the kitchen to check the water pressure while the second man then entered the house.

Mr Taylor said: "The problem with distraction burglaries like this is that the bogus callers are very, very believable.

"The message to everyone is if you are not expecting anyone to call round just do not let them into your home.

"Most utility companies will give you a call to make an appointment before they come round but without one it is just not worth taking the risk."

Any information should be passed to WPC Anne Deuchars(c) at Devizes Police on (01380) 722141.

People can pass on information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.