Pensioner Winifred Bonfield said she was even told she would have to pay the salesman's petrol bill after she "wasted his time" travelling from Portsmouth to see her.

Anglian Windows, the firm involved, has since apologised.

Mrs Bonfield, of Thalassa Road, said: "I was very upset to be talked to in this way.

"I think it's disgusting they would threaten an elderly lady."

Mrs Bonfield, 75, agreed to have an Anglian Windows representative come to her home after someone knocked on her door asking if she needed any work done.

An appointment was arranged for Thursday, March 27, to get an estimate for work to the outside of her home.

She claims, however, it was only on the agreement she would be telephoned on the morning of the appointment to be given the salesman's name and arrival time.

When a salesman arrived unannounced, she refused to let him in from a safety point of view.

She said: "I didn't know who he was, he could have been anyone.

"We are advised as elderly people to make sure we know who we're letting into our house.

"I couldn't believe it when minutes later I got a telephone call saying I was going to have to pay for his petrol.

"I can't afford it and why should I pay for it anyway?

"I'm very cross. If they want customers, this is a strange way of going about it."

A spokeswoman from Anglian said: "Our sincere apologies for any distress this incident had caused.

"We will be investigating the individuals involved as it is not in accordance with company policy to charge for petrol when visiting potential customers.

"The security call is an important part of the appointment confirmation process.

"If we failed to make this call, the responsibility for the misunderstanding is entirely ours."

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