Police in Kelso are investigating the bogus caller incident

He pretended to be a water worker to gain access to a house in the Grovehill area of Kelso on Wednesday afternoon.

It was only after he left that the pensioner realised the man had stolen the four-figure sum.

Police have linked the incident to a similar attempt in the same area an hour later when a bogus workman was refused entry to a 66-year-old's home.

The man has been described as 5ft 5in tall, white European, of medium build and aged between 20 and 30 years old.

A police spokesman said it was obvious that the homes of the elderly were being targeted by an individual.

He urged householders to always check for identification before allowing access to their homes.

The incident came just hours after police issued a warning about a bogus caller gang operating in various parts of Scotland including the Borders.