POLICE in South Worcestershire have issued a warning to senior citizens and their relatives after an elderly woman was coerced into paying £30 to buy two dusters.

The incident happened in Middle Littleton earlier this month. The woman handed over the money after she was pressurised by a man who called at her door without warning.

It followed a number of similar incidents in the north of the county in preceding weeks and police are not ruling out a connection between them.

The police warning this week was aimed at relatives, friends and neighbours of vulnerable people and reminded them of the tactics employed by ruthless, high-pressure door-to-door salesmen.

Spokesman Richard Bull said: "While, technically, there is nothing illegal about door-to-door selling, we want anyone who has an elderly - or vulnerable- friend, neighbour or relative to draw their attention to possible similar "high-pressure" approaches and advise them how to deal with them.

Worcestershire County Council's trading standards spokesperson Charlotte Knowles said: "Turning people away from your front doorstep can be hard.

"People will often buy what is on offer just to get rid of the caller. To assist residents in combating this intrusion, trading standards has produced a 'notice to callers' card that identifies households will not buy from doorstep traders.

"The notice also contains useful information on how to deal with cold callers."

She added that anyone who believes they have been coerced into making a purchase they did not want or who would like a doorcard is asked to contact trading standards at the county council on 01905 765373.