THIEVES posing as tree surgeons conned a dying man and his wife out of thousands of pounds.

Diane Turnbull, 78, and her husband David, 79, responded to a leaflet posted through the door offering to cut their trees.

After quoting £600, a group of men came to the couple’s home in Great Gregorie, Laindon, and spent “hardly any time” in the garden.

Claiming the work was finished, the gang then asked the pair to pay an extortionate price of £3,600.

It was then that Mrs Turnbull was marched to NatWest by the men, who persuaded her to complete a bank transfer.

Mr Turnbull, who was in the late stages of bladder cancer at the time, has since died.

The couple’s son-in-law, Kevin Hawkins, 52, said: “My father-in law was very frail at the time and there were about three or four great big strapping blokes.

“They intimidated him to stay in the house while they took my mother-in-law to NatWest in Basildon town centre.

“They were quite forthright that he should stay in the house.

“My mother-in-law has not only endured all of this but she has also had to go through her husband’s funeral. How could they?”

He urged relatives of elderly people to remain vigilant.

He said: “If your relatives are thinking of getting work done on their home, get a reliable firm in on their behalf.

“Elderly people can be too trusting. Neighbours and friends and family should be looking out for them.”

The incident happened last month but the family have been too distraught to come forward until now.

Essex Police have already issued a warning about the scam after six men posing as tree surgeons called at an elderly couple’s home, also in Great Gregorie, on August 10.

While the victims were distracted in the garden one of the men sneaked into a bedroom and stole a five-figure sum of cash and jewellery.

So far, no arrests have been made and officers are appealing for information.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.