A rogue trader who stopped a Shropshire pensioner in the street and pressured her into handing over hundreds of pounds for work that he had never even carried out is being hunted by the police, it emerged today.

Officers are warning people across the county to be on their guard against conmen preying on the elderly following the incident in Market Drayton town centre.

The suspect approached the woman, who has not been named, and told her she owed him £300 for work he claimed to have carried out to replace several roof tiles at her home.

He then followed her home to an address in Chestnut Road.

He was travelling in a white van and was paid the £300 on arrival at the address.

But police said in fact no work had been carried out by the man and he was taking advantage of his victim’s apparent confusion.

Officers added the victim’s roof tiles were in fact in good condition and showed no signs of needing repair.

Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, urged people to be on the lookout for con artists and rogue traders taking advantage of vulnerable people.

He said: “This man is a thief, a rogue trader, who falsely claimed to have carried out work.

“These type of people tend to target the elderly.

“They know the elderly are more easily confused and intimidated.

“The circumstances in this case are slightly different in so far as the victim was approached in the street.

“Rogue traders usually knock on the door to say they have done work on the house or garden.”

The incident happened between 9.30am and 10am on Monday in the town centre as the woman was making her way home from a trip to the shops.

The man was described as white, aged between 30 and 40, about 5ft 7ins tall, of average build with short brown hair.

He was wearing a greenish coloured coat or long jacket.

A second man remained in the vehicle, police said.

The Ford Transit type van was parked in Chestnut Road for about 20 minutes before heading off towards Dalelands West.

Any information can be passed to police by calling 0300 333 3000.