ELDERLY people are being warned against being duped into sending money in reply to a "scam" letter circulating in Wyre Forest.

The letter entices them to send up to £24 in return for cheques totalling nearly £7,000.

Worcestershire Trading Standards department said such mail shots often preyed on vulnerable people and urged them not to send any money.

Communications officer Charlotte Renshaw said: "Anyone who receives letters like this should bin it and no-one should take up any offers like this unless they come from a reputable source."

Pensioner Bill Carr, from Franche, was outraged to receive a copy of the letter which claimed he had not cashed in a cheque previously sent for £442 and giving him the chance to claim it now - along with a cheque for £6,400.

To qualify for the money he was told to send £21, with the option of handing over a further £3.00 to purchase a "money plus receptor".

He would also receive a magical octagonal talisman which it was claimed would help him win money regularly.

The letter stated he could pay by credit card if he filled in his details, or send a cheque, international money mandate or cash by registered post.

The letter was allegedly from a Swiss woman, Senora Diaz, who claimed to know the recipient had financial difficulties.

Mr Carr, 78, said: "Some elderly people could find this very worrying and I would urge people not to send money off they can't afford."

Ms Renshaw urged anyone who received such letters to report them to trading standards.