BOGUS water company officials have been targeting the homes of elderly people in the district, pensioners are being warned.

Police have issued the alert following a series of incidents in which two men have called at the homes of people in their 70s and 80s, asking to be admitted so that they can turn the water supply off.

Last Thursday at about 4pm, a pensioner in Richmond Road, Bewdley, was visited by two men aged between 20 and 30 who claimed to be from Severn Trent Water.

A similar incident happened an hour earlier at the home of another elderly woman in Furlongs Road, Cleobury Mortimer.

A police spokesman said: "It is important that elderly people be cautious if they are approached by anyone wishing to enter their house.

"If unsure of their identity, do not allow them access to the premises and inform the police immediately." Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kidderminster police on 01562 820888.