TWO con men made off with nearly £700 after tricking a Whitefield pensioner.

In what police have described as a "callous" crime, the offenders struck in Egerton Road on Thursday afternoon (Nov 1).

The two men called at the 73-year-old man's home and claimed they were carrying out an inspection survey on the house next door, which was up for sale.

The pensioner allowed the duo into his home, and the men went into the attic.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Heywood, of Bury's Operational Police Unit, said: "When they came out of the attic, they told the man that a joist was broken and they would need £650 to repair it. "Unfortunately, their victim handed over the cash and the men left, never to return."

DS Heywood continued: "This was a vile and callous incident.

"It also highlights a problem of people, especially the elderly, who keep large sums of money in their homes.

"We need the help of anyone who saw the two men enter the elderly gentleman's home, but I am calling on relatives and friends of elderly pensioners to stress the need to put their money, sometimes their life savings, into a bank, building society or Post Office account.

"Sadly, there are those in society who are only too willing to take advantage of our senior citizens."

The two men are both white, about 5ft 9in tall with short, dark hair.

One man was in his 40s, lean, and who complained of a sore chest.

The other was in his mid 30s, with pale blue eyes, and wore a green duffle coat.

Anyone with information should contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248.