A 70-YEAR-OLD woman had her life savings stolen after she fell victim to a callous fraud.

The money was taken after the pensioner was taken in by a bogus story of a water leak in the street.

At the time of the incident on Monday she was in her home in Westgarth, Carlton, near Stockton, when a man entered the house through the back door, saying he had tried the front door but she had not heard him.

He said there was a leak in the village and she would need to run the cold tap and flush the lavatory. He went into the bathroom with her and it is believed at least one other person entered the house and searched a bedroom, making off with cash and bank cards.

He is described as about 30, white and slim, and was wearing a blue fleece, dark trousers and brown suede shoes. He had short dark wavy hair and is believed to have a couple of days-worth of facial stubble.

Other witnesses have described three youths seen in the area at the time of the incident, which happened at about 5pm.

The first was approximately 6ft and slim, one was 5ft 8in, medium build and wearing a dark top. He had mousy hair. The third is about 5ft 9in and was wearing a white top with stripes on the sleeve. All are believed to be in their 20s.

The Northern Echo launched the Doorstoppers campaign last November demanding a ban on cold calling by people offering to carry out property repairs. It has received support from police, trading standards and elderly care charities, as well as politicians and utility companies.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers of bogus callers and distraction burglaries, and press for a change in the law to combat door-to-door property repair tradesmen.

Anyone with information about Monday's incident is asked to contact DC Jeremy Collins on (01642) 302226.