Bogus contractors robbery warning

Trading Standards officials are warning about two men operating in Bristol after a woman was conned out of £1,250.

The men called at the woman's house in Brentry claiming to be driveway contractors from Plymouth.

She paid them the money for materials and skip hire but the men have not been seen since.

A Trading Standards spokesman said it had also received a similar complaint from an elderly man who lives in the Fishponds area.

Phil Parkyn said: "The men are understood to use a dark grey or silver metallic Nissan van with a southern Irish number plate, or white Transit van.

"They can seem very plausible and supply a convincing printed contract but Trading Standards are unable to contact them at the address or numbers given.

"Never give money upfront because there is a real risk you will never see the trader or your money again," he said..