Police believe this man holds vital information after a Whitstable pensioner was conned out of £5,000 for clearance work that never took place.

The woman in her 60s was duped by a rogue trader who failed to deliver on the promise of clearing garden rubbish from her property.

The man, who called himself John, called on several occasions between November 1 and January 12 promising her he would carry out the work.

But, it never happened and police are now treating the incident as fraud by false representation.

Described as having short, black hair, a thin black moustache and a gold tooth, he wore a three-quarter length duffel coat and carried a red bag on one of his visits.

Sgt Jason Heather said the man had preyed on a vulnerable victim.

He said: “He visited her repeatedly, asking for more money each time, and made excuses every time as to why the work hadn’t been done.

“We have carried out house to house inquiries in the area and are liaising with Kent Trading Standards, but are also appealing to anyone who recognises the e-fit or the description to contact us immediately.”

If you recognise the e-fit or have information about the incident call Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 quoting crime number ZY/1665/12.