A 94-year-old victim of bogus workmen was a guest at the launch of a campaign to protect the elderly from unwanted callers.

Great grandmother Betty Brown told Home Office crime reduction director Hugh Marriage how bogus workman sat smoking on her roof before intimidating her into paying a repair bill of £180.

Mrs Brown, of Fairhalls Crescent, Horsham, said the men called twice in a week claiming they were replacing tiles.

Mr Marriage was launching the Stop, Chain, Check campaign at the David Bryce Club and Day centre run by Age Concern in New Street, Horsham.

He said: "Distraction burglary is a big problem targeting older people with an average age of 81. It is important to warn people how common this is and how we can stop it."

Horsham District Council community safety officer Mike Rumble said Horsham was the safest district in West Sussex and had half the national average crime rate.

He said: "We are trying to make it a safer place for you by looking at bogus callers."

Crime prevention officer PC Alan Huffenden said many bogus callers were smartly dressed and plausible.

He said: "Bogus callers target older people because many of them are not up to speed with modern banking procedures. Don't leave lots of money at home, it is too tempting."