An elderly man had pension money stolen from his dressing gown while preparing to take a bath at his Earl's Court home.

The 84-year-old OAP withdrew his pension from the Post Office in Earl's Court Road at about 2pm on Wednesday and went straight home to Kempsford Gardens.

At about 4.45pm, he was about to take a bath but was interrupted by a loud knocking at the door of his flat. A white man, wearing a yellow jacket, was standing outside claiming to be from the water board and saying that an upstairs neighbour had complained about a blockage.

Once the fraudster was invited in by the trusting victim, he asked the pensioner to turn a hot tap in the bathroom on and off.

When he returned the fraudster grabbed him, stole £300 from his dressing gown pocket and ran away.

The elderly victim was unharmed, but police described him as 'shaken up.'

A spokeswoman added: "Residents are reminded not to allow anyone into their homes without checking identity first. A genuine caller will not mind if he or she is kept waiting whilst a check is made."

The conman was described as being a 'big bloke' who is about 6ft 2in, in his 30s or 40s and has short dark hair.

Call Det Con Sam Vennart on 020 8246 0230 with any information.