PENSIONERS are being targeted in a doorstep furniture scam.

Cleveland Police yesterday confirmed they are investigating incidents when one pensioner handed over a cheque for £350 for a chair and a two-seater settee in return for her three-piece suite, while a second pensioner was sold sub-standard furniture.

The incidents were reported in Dormanstown and Redcar.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's Homecall service has issued a warning to all pensioners across the district not to be gulled by the slick salesmen who speak with Irish accidents.

Homecall manager Neville Blantern said: "The two pensioners concerned have been extremely distressed by these incidents. It is clear they have been conned into buying furniture neither of them really wanted.

"It's a mean and despicable act. We have reported the incidents to the police and just hope they are not repeated. Any door-to-door salespeople should be asked to produce proper identification."

The first pensioner was told by the conmen not to worry about putting a name on the cheque - they had a "special stamp".

Mr Blantern said their second victim was so badly shaken by her ordeal she cannot remember how much money she gave the duo.

"She was given a shop-soiled three-piece suite, with staples showing on the side, in return for her old suite," he said. "I'm afraid the lady simply doesn't know how much she's paid. She says she handed over a bundle of money. It's been a really upsetting episode for her."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the force urged residents to be on their guard earlier this year following reports of two men with Irish accents who were selling boxed TVs which had their working parts missing.

The TV tricksters struck in Guisborough and Loftus. The white truck they used had featured in a similar scam on Teesside two years ago