WOMEN in Weymouth were today being warned about a bogus caller who has been targeting homes in the town.

A woman became suspicious and alerted police after receiving a telephone call from a person pretending to be from the health authority who wanted to visit her house to carry out a smear test.

The caller claimed to be with the local health care team but inquiries by Dorset Police have shown the call to be false.

Police are now urging women not to give out their home address or other personal details over the telephone unless they are certain of the caller's identity.

Pauline Chudley, spokeswoman for Dorset Health Authority, said today: "Smear tests are conducted through local GP surgeries. Women may be sent a reminder in the post from the health authority or their GP but no one would ever phone up and ask personal questions."