A WOMAN was conned out of £30 by a man who called at her house, posing as a gardener.

The man knocked at the home of the 30-year-old woman, in Wickford Court, in Wickford Avenue, Pitsea.

He told the woman he offered a garden clearing service for £30.

The victim paid the cash up front, but the man left before doing the agreed work.

Police investigating the incident are asking people with information to come forward.

Mick Armstrong, crime reduction officer for Basildon police, urged residents to use a contractor recommended by family and friends.

The conman is described as a white man, aged around 28 with an Irish accent.

He had long “dirty” blonde hair, a “dirty appearance” and wore a tracksuit top, blue tracksuit bottoms tucked into his socks and trainers.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at 11.20am on Friday, should call police at Basildon on 0300 3334444.