A CHIPPENHAM man in his 60s was marched to a cashpoint and fleeced out of £150 by cold callers after they cut down a tree and initially tried to charge £2,500.

Two men visited the victim’s house on Oaklands claiming that complaints had been made regarding a tree in his garden.

The tree was cut down between midday and 2pm on Saturday (March 4) before the cold callers attempted to charge the victim £2,500.

After walking the victim to the cashpoint outside NatWest in the High Street they were given £150 before leaving.

A police spokesman said: “If someone comes to your door and you aren’t expecting a caller, it is really important that you check who it is by using a spy-hole or look through a window.

“Do not open the door to anyone who do not know, or aren’t expecting.

“Never agree to have work carried out by someone who is just passing, or believe them that work needs to be done at all.

“If you think you require work to be carried out on our property, garden or driveway, get quotes from companies and ask friends and neighbours for recommendations.

“If you see anything suspicious or think a bogus caller may have called at your door, report it to the police immediately and try and take down any registration numbers from suspicious vehicles.”