Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after bogus workmen in West Lothian robbed an elderly man in his Bathgate home.

The 89-year-old answered the door of his house in the town's Durham Drive at around 1.30pm on Wednesday to a man who claimed he had to check the house's water supply before being led to the kitchen.  

Two other men then entered the house and after all three left the elderly man noticed money was missing.

The three men were last seen heading for North Lanarkshire in a dark-coloured Mercedes sports car.

They are described as white and between 35-45 years old. One of the men had red hair, while at least one spoke with an Irish accent.

The crime comes as Lothian and Borders Police are join forces with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and West Lothian Council for an event aimed at protecting the elderly community from bogus workers.

Inspector Stephen Elliot from Lothian and Borders Police said: "The bogus workmen incidents in West Lothian over the past two days have both targeted elderly members of the community and anyone with information that can assist with our enquiries should contact police immediately.

"These events are about empowering older people and giving them the skills and knowledge to protect them from the unscrupulous criminals who commit doorstep crimes against older people.

"They allow us to highlight the important issues by directly addressing older people and working with other agencies to prevent older people becoming victims."

The event at the Lanthorn Centre in Dedridge is the first of a series in West Lothian to tackle doorstep crime including bogus callers and rogue traders.