POLICE have warned pensioners in Melksham to be vigilant after an elderly couple were duped out of hundreds of pounds by con artists posing as carpet traders.

Concerns over an increase in suspicious cold callers in Melksham intensified when Muriel and William Miller were tricked out of parting with £300.

Feeling sickened by the con, the elderly couple were too distressed to report the incident to police until this week.

Mr Miller, 70, was walking his dog when two men driving a white Mercedes van pulled alongside.

Asking if the pensioner lived nearby, the con artists followed him back to his house in Cornwall Crescent and tricked their way inside.

Mr Miller said: "They told me they had carried out work at the new homes near the Pig and Whistle pub. One of them opened their van and they had eight to ten carpets inside.

"They said they were folded up but were good quality and took £300 off us. My friend is a carpet layer and he came round and opened it up. It was complete rubbish.

"They made us feel intimidated and made me feel we had to buy it. I never slept for two nights and felt sick about it. Every time I saw the carpet I felt sick."

It is the second time the couple have been duped by dodgy cold callers. Five years ago two rogue workman convinced them to part with £500 for a botched patio they laid at their Melksham home.

This latest incident on September 9 is another example of bogus callers targeting Wiltshire pensioners.

Police in Melksham have been inundated with calls from worried residents.

Officers were called to Arden Close on Sunday after receiving reports of suspicious cold callers. Investigations into all the incidents are continuing.

Sgt Mike White, of Melksham police station, said everyone should heed police warnings on how to deal with cold callers.

He said: "We want to hear from anyone who has been approached in a similar way or who thinks bogus callers have targeted people living near to them.

"If people are calling at your door and they are not invited, be very wary of them, ask for ID and make sure they are legitimate.

"People should be aware of all the security measures open to them, which includes door chains and ID checks."

Anyone with information on the con artist's carpet scam or any other bogus callers targeting people in the town can contact Melksham police on (01225) 763101.