An elderly homeowner has been the victim of a cruel fraud.

At 3pm on Friday 6 April, the homeowner was approached by the offender and two men who claimed  building work needed to be done to the side of the property on Coney Hill Road, Gloucester.

The offender said the victim needed to pay a £1000 deposit for scaffolding before the work could begin and that this was needed straight away as the building supplies store was due to close.

The victim paid the money and the offender left saying that he would return at 6pm with the scaffolding and a receipt but never came back.

Members of the public believe that the offender was driving a white transit van with ladders on the roof.

The offender is thought to be in his mid-sixties and spoke with an Irish accent.

Anyone who recognises the male in the e-fit is asked to call 101 and quote incident number 368 of 6 April.