Police today condemned "appalling" hoax letters trying to trick elderly people out of cash.

Clacton police have received five reports from elderly people in the area who have received the disturbing letters, which claim to be from clairvoyants and demand money.

The letters state that if they do not return £20, they are in for bad luck and that "danger is imminent".

Calvin Heal, crime reduction officer for the district, has made an urgent plea to people to ignore the letters and throw them straight in the bin.

He said one 84-year-old woman, of Frinton, was among those who had been left distressed by the letter and contacted police.

Mr Heal said: "It's just appalling. People should just ignore these letters. No harm will come to them if they ignore it and don't send the £20 it asks for.

"All it will do is encourage more letters like this they will just keep sending more and more demands for money."

The letter sent to the Frinton woman, which is similar to letters sent to elderly people in Walton, Clacton and St Osyth, says the recipient can win money by replying quickly with £20.

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Published Friday, December 17, 2004

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