ELDERLY residents in a Hampshire village are being warned to be on their guard against doorstep conmen.

West End councillor Alec Chalk is urging locals to give all door-to-door salesmen short shrift in a bid to reduce the chances of falling victim to a scam or theft.

Mr Chalk has raised his concerns with the parish council and the police after being on the receiving end of an unwelcome caller.

The 72-year-old from Telegraph Road said: "A gentleman came to my door trying to sell burglar alarms.

"He asked me if I lived on my own, whether I had locks on all my doors and windows and asked me what I would do if I found someone in my house.

"I told him that if he was a proper burglar alarm salesman he wouldn't ask questions like that and that I made my own precautions and I was happy with them.

"He cleared off after that."

After a resident in Chapel Road also reported meeting a suspicious doorstep salesman, Mr Chalk decided to make public his concerns and urge the elderly to snub hawkers.

He said: "This sort of thing does frighten elderly folk and I do not think that anyone should take any notice of people selling door-to-door.

"On no account should they let them inside - they are already looking around when they are at the door.

"You can ring the council and get a list of approved builders or firms."

A police spokesman advised anyone with any doubts about a doorstep salesman first to contact the firm to check identity or, if doubts persist, to contact the local police.