Detectives are appealing for information after a fraudster tricked his way into the home of a woman aged in her 90s.

The victim, who lives off Cherry Avenue, Brentwood, answered the door at 12pm on Monday, October 5, to a man posing as a building company manager.

He claimed he was inspecting properties in the area for signs of damp.

She let him inside the address and he claimed there was damp in the kitchen and bathroom before asking for a £200 cash deposit to buy machinery to fix the problem.

When she said she did not have the money, he made excuses and left empty-handed.

The suspect was white, aged in his mid 20s and of slim build.

 He had brown hair, was about 5ft tall and wore a striped suit.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dc Matthew Wigg at Brentwood CID on 101.