POLICE are warning people to be on their guard after a conman telephoned an elderly woman asking her to send £1,000 in order to claim a prize she had won in the Australian Lottery.

The 83-year-old woman from Beaconsfield, whose name has not been revealed, was called on three separate occasions over a period of several days last week by a man claiming to be from the state's lottery in that country.

He said the woman had won a cash prize and asked her to send £1,000 to an address in Richmond, Victoria.

He claimed she would then receive her prize in instalments.

The pensioner received two similar calls over the next few days with the amount of money requested being reduced to £500.

The pensioner, who did not send any money, contacted the police.

Kate Spark, police spokesman, said: "We are concerned that some people, particularly the elderly, may feel intimidated into sending money after receiving such a call.

"We would advise anyone who is contacted in this way not to send any money to the caller. We would also ask carers and people with elderly relatives to make pensioners aware of this incident."

Anyone who has received a similar call can contact the police for advice on (01494) 465888.