A MAN was held hostage in his own home and then robbed on Monday by a conman claiming to be a builder.

The incident happened at 8.10pm, when a man, who is described as being white, aged 50, 5ft 8ins tall, with stubble in his face and dark clothing, entered a property in The Close, Harrow.

He told its 50 year-old male owner that he was one of the builders who had been carrying out extensive work to the front of the house and that he needed payment for the work in advance.

The owner parted with a cheque for £2,000 at which point the suspect began demanding cash. The owner refused to give him cash and then tried to leave the house but was forcibly restrained.

The man then began ransacking the house and eventually left when he found £50 in cash. Anyone with information call DS Ted Cornwell on 020 8733 3481.