A QUICK-THINKING member of staff at a Salisbury bank prevented an elderly man falling victim to a team of conmen for the second time.

The incident began when a man called at the pensioner's home saying he owed £3,000 for putting up a fence.

The 84-year-old householder disputed that he owed anything but was told to go to his bank and withdraw the cash.

A member of staff at HSBC, in Minster Street, was suspicious and the bank contacted the police.

The staff looked after their customer while the police made inquiries with neighbours.

These revealed that there was a blue Ford Transit van in the area with two people on board.

Officers tracked down the vehicle and arrested two men, one from Bristol and one from Dorset.

They have been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said letters had been sent to banks and building societies in the area, warning them that travelling criminals were active in the community.

"As a result of these letters and the banks' training of its staff, we have prevented these people getting away with this gentleman's money.

"We would like to praise the alertness of the member of staff and the bank for alerting us to this so quickly."

He added that this was the second time the pensioner had been targeted by criminals, the first group having escaped emptyhanded.

Nothing is believed to have been stolen in the incident.