AN elderly woman was left terrified after being threatened with violence by a group of workmen on Tuesday morning.

They demanded £2,600 for repairs to her drive - but she had only agreed to pay them £30.

Police believe she is the victim of a gang which has been using the M5 to target the region and have linked the Bromsgrove incident to similar ones in the Wyre Forest area.

The four workmen first called at the woman's Birmingham Road home last Thursday, at around 10am.

They said her drive needed some repairs and they could do the work for £30.

The woman agreed and the men returned on Monday to carry out the task - and resurfaced the entire drive before demanding £2,600.

They offered to accompany the woman to the bank so she could draw out the money but she refused and wrote them a cheque, which she then stopped immediately.

However, the gang returned twice yesterday (Tuesday); at 8.50am and 9.30am, to demand the money, threatening her with violence.

Upon their second visit, the woman slammed her door shut and phoned the police but, by the time officers arrived, the men had gone.

It is the first reported incident of its kind in Bromsgrove, although there have been a spate of similar ones in the Wyre Forest area.

Police say the group use the M5 to target homes and businesses across the region.

In a number of reports men have made threatening phone calls to residents who have continually refused to pay for work carried out without their agreement.

In the Bromsgrove incident, police say they men were using two vans and a lorry which were yellow-coloured, with the words Highway Service on the side. They also wore fluorescent workmen's jackets.

If arrested, the men could face charges of obtaining money by deception.

Joanne Hammond, for the police, said: "We are particularly concerned for the safety of elderly and vulnerable people and we would like to remind them not to accept offers of work by anyone who touts for business on the doorstep."

Anyone with information is urged to call 08457 555 888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.