TWO men posing as council officials stole £200 from a 97-year-old woman after entering her home.

The pensioner was confronted by the pair at her home in Beech Crescent, Heighington, near Darlington, on Saturday.

One man distracted the woman while the other searched the house and stole the cash from her purse.

Inspector Brian Maudling, from Darlington police, said: "The men have entered the house unlawfully and the lady has suddenly been confronted by them. She was extremely confused and upset.

"She lives alone and could not give us a very clear description of either of the men, so we are struggling a little with that."

Both intruders were white, aged between 30 and 40 and of medium build.

The incident occurred at 1.30pm. Twenty minutes earlier, another elderly woman had been targeted in Princes Road, Darlington.

The 80-year-old answered the door to two men posing as water board officials but refused to let them in and contacted police.

Insp Maudling said: "We can't rule out a link between the two incidents. The lady in Princes Road just would not let them in. She has questioned them and has obviously been quite switched on and has rumbled them straight away."

One of the men was described as 5ft 3in, of medium build, with straight, thinning, mousy hair, which was flat to his head and receding at the front. He was wearing a dark jacket zipped up to the neck.

The other was about 5ft 7in and slim with short, fair hair. He was wearing a three-quarter length grey anorak.

The Northern Echo has launched a campaign aimed at saving people from the misery of doorstep crime.

Doorstoppers has the backing of the police, trading standards, politicians, utility companies and organisations which look after the welfare of the elderly.

Last Tuesday, there were two similar incidents in Darlington involving elderly women.

Insp Maudling said anything which made people more aware of doorstep crime was welcome.

"We need to get the message out to people, especially the elderly and anything which helps to do that is beneficial. The lady who turned the men away has done the right thing."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01325) 467681.