A BURGLAR claiming to be a tree surgeon conned £600 from an 80-year-old woman in West Parley.

This is the e-fit picture of the man who told his victim that the tree in her garden at Ellesfield Drive needed cutting back.

He told her he would need a cherry picker to carry out the work and quoted her £600.

The victim drove to the bank and withdrew the money while man waited outside the house.

She returned 20 minutes later and handed the money to the offender who left and did not return to carry out the work.

The incident happened at 10.45am on Wednesday, November 19.

Ferndown Police deputy neighbourhood inspector Simon Perry said: “The offender was said to be driving a white tipper van in the West Parley area for around 30 minutes that morning.

“I urge anyone who recognises the man or who saw someone matching the description of the offender or the van, to contact me.

“All calls will be dealt with in strict confidence.

“I advise members of the community to be vigilant. If you are suspicious of a caller’s intentions, tell them to go away and call a family member or neighbour and inform the police on 101. If they won’t leave, then call 999.”

The offender is described as a white man, five feet eight inches tall, of medium build with short, greying hair.

He was chubby in the face and was wearing blue jeans, a grey or blue coloured long-sleeved shirt and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 19:438.