�The life savings of an elderly couple have been taken by a pair of conmen who tricked them on their doorstep.

The �27,000 was hoarded in the couple’s bedroom, to be spent if either had to move into an old people’s home.

Now the couple, of Craven Gardens, Barkingside, have been left “penniless”.

“I just can’t get over it,” said the 89-year-old man who, along with his 85-year-old wife, has asked not to be named.

Most of the money, �25,000, was stored in a shoebox in a draw under the couple’s bed, while �2,000 was in a wallet stored in a cupboard.

The pair were targeted on Monday at just before noon when two men knocked on their door claiming to be from maintenance firm Dyno Rod to test their water supply.

“I was just pleased that they had come to sort it out because we’ve had trouble with the water mains,” said the elderly man who opened the door to the crooks.

One of the men told the couple he was going upstairs to put dye in the water tank, while the other led the pensioners to their kitchen sink to wait for the dye to emerge from the tap – a sign, they said, that their water supply was in good working order.

The pensioner added: “After 15 minutes, the other guy then said ‘everything’s OK’ and they rushed out.

“I looked out and I could see them running like hell. That’s when I called the police.”

The two men are described as being in their 30s, 5ft 8in tall and with London accents.

The pair never showed any ID to the couple.

“We’re both shaken,” said the former milkman.

“I had a terrible night thinking about it.

“We have no insurance. I’ve got to start saving all over again.”

He added: “We feel we’re lucky because they could have stabbed us if we caught them in the act.”

Police are urging residents to be wary of people claiming to work for utilities firms and to remain vigilant.

n Anyone with any information about Monday’s theft should call 020 8345 2680, quoting 4423643/11.