Bird-brained men going by the names of Mike Swallow and Peter Robin tried to con a woman into thinking she was getting a free birdbath from Surrey County Council.

The Hersham resident smelled a rat when the men said they were coming over to install the birdbath, gave very dubious names and told her she would get £250 every three months from Elmbridge Council. She then called the police.

A police spokesman said on the Elmbridge Beat facebook page: "She realised straight away that this was a scam and rightly reported it to police. We have liaised with the council and will also make Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards aware.

"Please don't fall for these conmen and never let any unsolicited callers into your property."