Police have warned Biddulph residents to beware of scams after an elderly woman in the town was almost conned into buying £1,000 worth of Amazon gift cards.

The woman received a phone call which claimed to be from Inland Revenue.

The caller told the elderly woman that she owed money to the Government department, and that she would be arrested if she did not pay up.

Police say she was then taken by taxi to a supermarket and almost made to buy the gift cards - but luckily this purchase was stopped before it could be completed.

Police have now warned local residents, especially those who are elderly or may be more vulnerable, to stay alert for these kinds of scams.

PCSO Clare Sartin, of Staffordshire Police's Biddulph team, said: "Police have had a report from an elderly resident that they have had a telephone call from a female claiming to be from Inland Revenue, stating that they owed an amount of money and that the police had been informed and they would be arrested.

"They have then been picked up in a taxi and taken to a local supermarket to purchase £1,000 worth of amazon gift cards.

"This has luckily been stopped before any money was handed over.

"This is a SCAM! Inland Revenue do not operate in this way."

She added: "Please keep in mind our elderly residents who are more vulnerable to this type of scam.

"Other scams that have been used are regarding Covid-19 tests, these are not chargeable and no bank details should be given out over the phone."