Residents across Great Yarmouth are being asked to remain vigilant after reports of a telephone scam operating in the area.

The warning has been issued by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Under the scam, a person claiming to represent the council cold-calls the householder and says the resident is eligible to receive a large grant for home improvements.

In order to release the promised grant, however, the caller asks for an upfront payment of £200 - and the resident’s bank card details to process this payment.

A statement from the council said: “This is a scam. Great Yarmouth Borough Council would not cold-call you to ask for payment or bank card details.

“Please share this message to help spread the word. You can report fraud to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, by calling 0300 123 2040.”