A pensioner handed over £24,000 of antiques to a conman who paid her just £4,000 in a week-long sting operation.

The man spent a week organising the deal with the 84-year-old woman at her home in Lexden, Colchester, after calling on her purporting to be looking on behalf of another antiques collector in Colchester.

But while he was there he asked the woman if he could look at her furniture. Although he told her she had some nice pieces, he claimed they were badly damaged by woodworm. He said he would take them off her hands for £4,000.

But auctioneer Reeman Dansie and Howe has valued the items as being worth £24,000.

The man, who gave an address of Mersea Road, Clacton, which does not exist, and a false name, even replaced the items he took with cheap copies.

The man is described as being white, between 35 and 40, 6ft and of heavy build with mousey-coloured short hair. He was clean-shaven and smartly dressed in a light coloured suit.

Anyone with any information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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Published Monday, March 11, 2002