A BLACKPOOL pensioner has become the victim of a TRIPLE sting and lost more than £3,000 after being conned three times in a week.

STING ONE - the 75-year-old handed over £1,800 cash to bogus builders who claimed the roof of her Newcastle Avenue home needed repairing.

STING TWO - a false insurance man conned £500 from her claiming it was to cover the VAT on her insurance claim for the roof repairs.

STING THREE - a man claiming to be a detective inspector demanded she hand over her remaining £750, after arresting three men in Manchester for using counterfeit money and tracing the source back to her.

The pensioner, who has recently been widowed, is said to be extremely distraught after the incidents which began on June 3.

She had believed the builders to be a father and son team who after completing the repairs helped her fill out an insurance form, thereby obtaining her insurance details.

The bogus insurance man who knocked on her door six days later told her she would be unsuccessful in her claim if she did not pay the full amount of VAT, while the false inspector who called the following day revealed she would have to surrender all of her money because it was believed to be counterfeit.

Police have now launched a search for the men whom DS Barry Oldham of Blackpool CID says "preyed on a vulnerable member of our community and must not be allowed to strike again."

He added: "I would warn people not to give in to high pressure door-to-door salesmen. If anyone needs advice on reputable builders or contractors they should contact Age Concern or the Citizen's Advice Bureau."

Although police were given no description of the builders, the man pretending to be from the insurance company is described as in his 30s, 5ft 8ins, with fair, short hair, a slim build and clean shaven. He had a Lancashire accent and wore casual clothing.

The man posing as a policeman was also in his 30s, 5ft 2ins, slim build, clean shaven. He also spoke with a Lancashire accent and was wearing a smart suit.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.