DESPICABLE conmen posing as roofers stole a pensioner’s life savings from under his nose.

The ‘appalling’ criminals stole £8,000 from the 79-year-old victim’s Accrington home when they distracted him by discussing guttering work.

Police are now searching for three men who arrived at the victim’s house, on Hyndburn Street, in a white Vauxhall Combi van with the words “Layout Roofing” emblazoned on the vehicle.

Detectives have released images of the van, which was captured on CCTV following the incident, which happened at 10am, on Tuesday April 29.

PC Andy Ronga, of Lancashire Police, slammed the offenders and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “This is an absolutely despicable crime carried out against an elderly and vulnerable man who has had his life savings stolen. He has been taken advantage of in an appalling way.

“It truly beggars belief the levels that some people will stop to and I would appeal for anyone who knows who these offenders are or who has any information to get in touch with the police.”

The three offenders called at the Accrington address and told the victim his roof needed to be repaired and gutters cleaned at a cost of £300.

The pensioner reluctantly agreed and the offenders started to clean the guttering. Just minutes later they told the victim the price would be more than £300 as further work needed to be carried out.

The victim went to his bedroom to remove money from his safe but was called downstairs by one of the offenders and taken outside to look at the work they planned to carry out. Meanwhile, another offender snuck upstairs and found the safe still open, stealing the victim’s life savings of around £8,000.

All three men left immediately saying they would return after lunch, but failed to return at all. The first man is described as being white, 42-43 years old, 5ft 8, of medium build, with a bald head with mousey coloured hair on the sides, a couple of days growth of hair on his face and a scouse accent. He was wearing black trousers and jacket with white writing on the back saying “roofing specialists”. He was carrying a filofax.

The second man was white, 35 years old, 6ft, of a gangly, skinny build with lots of swept dark ginger hair and thick sideburns. He had stubble, spoke with a northern accent and was also wearing black clothing with the words “roofing specialists” on the back.

The third man is described as being white, aged about 35, 5ft8, slim build and was wearing a dark coloured top and dark coloured baseball cap.

The van has white wing mirrors with the words “rd roofing” and “layout roofing” written across the side.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0413 of Tuesday, April 29th or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.