Police have warned people to be wary of "mysterious" bogus telephone callers.

Homes in the Colchester area have been targeted by phone calls from men saying they are from a surveying company called Countrywide.

Worried homeowners called police after they felt the men were asking too many suspicious questions.

Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: " Mysterious people have been calling up people saying they need to have their homes damp-proofed.

"It seems they were asking questions about what time they would be in and whether they lived alone, which is suspicious.

"We would warn people to be wary of anyone who calls up trying to sell something over the phone and not to give away any personal information."

Julie Proctor, of Countrywide Surveyors, said: "We do not know who these people are. It is worrying when they are asking if people are living alone.

"We don't know what they are up to. We would warn people that we do not do cold calling in our company so it is not us."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001