Elderly people in Teesdale have been hit by a series of distraction burglaries by builders claiming to be repairing storm damage.

At least four households in the dale have been targeted by the false builders and police say it is possible there could be other victims who are unaware that they have been burgled.

The burglaries all took place in Teesdale on Wednesday afternoon.

The first incident was reported in the Mickleton area at 3.20pm when an elderly person was approached by builders offering to repair damage done to her roof during the weekend's heavy storms.

While she was distracted, somebody gained access to her property and went through the bedrooms, although it is still unclear if anything was taken.

At 4pm a similar distraction technique was employed at a house in Vere Road, Barnard Castle.

At 4.15pm an elderly resident at Queen Street, Barnard Castle, found two men at the rear of her house who offered to repair her roof.

An elderly lady in the Orchard Grove area of Gainford was left distraught after a handbag and a quantity of cash was stolen from her house after burglars gained access through distraction techniques between 4.30pm and 5pm.

Inspector Kevin Tuck of Barnard Castle Police appealed for any witnesses or people who have seen any suspicious activity to come forward.

He said: "These particular crimes are preying on some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Many of them were already worried about the damage to their property and they have been left scared and upset by these incidents.

"We urge people not to do any deals on their doorstep and to keep their backdoors locked. They should only use reputable builders and anyone purporting to be from utility companies should always carry identification which can be checked with a telephone call."

Two white males were involved in the burglaries. One is described as being in his forties or fifties with a stocky build. The other was in his early teens or twenties and was 5ft6in tall.

One of the men spoke with an Irish accent.

At 5.30pm on Wednesday following reports of similar suspicious activity at High Riggs and Churchill Road in Barnard Castle and in Startforth, police arrested eight foreign men who may have been involved with the earlier burglaries Anyone with information is asked to call Bishop Auckland CID on (01388) 603566 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.