POLICE have repeated their warnings about bogus officials after two men tried to talk their way into a house.

They called on an elderly woman in Swainby, near Stokesley, claiming to be from the water board and saying they needed to bleed some roof valves.

The householder became suspicious and they made off when she asked to see their identification. Checks with Yorkshire Water confirmed that no engineers had been in the area.

"No ID then no entry is the golden rule when dealing with people claiming to be officials," said a spokesman.

"Real officials will always have official IDs and will be willing to wait on the doorstep while it is checked."

Police described one of the men they are looking for as "swarthy", in his mid-20s and of medium build, wearing a navy sweatshirt with an orange band at the neck. He also had a slight foreign accent.

The other man was in his 30s or 40s, stocky, with sandy hair and wearing a blue check shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northallerton CID on (01609) 783131.