A 104-YEAR-OLD who was the victim of a conman said last night that only his love of snooker allowed the thief into his home.

Fred Dickinson, from Hartlepool, was watching the World Snooker Championship final on Bank Holiday Monday when a man claiming to be from an electricity company called at his home.

The man said he needed to read the meter outside the house, but a short while later knocked at the door again and asked if he could use the toilet.

Mr Dickinson said: "In the past many people have knocked at my door and asked for a drink of water or something and I have got rid of them.

"However, because I was so engrossed in the snooker I let him go upstairs.

"If it had not have been for the snooker I would have been more on my guard and would not have let him in. It was the snooker's fault."

When Mr Dickinson, who is Hartlepool's oldest resident, went to bed eight hours later he discovered his wallet, containing £90, and loose change was missing.

After inspecting the rest of the rooms upstairs he noticed drawers had been pulled out and scattered around, although he believes nothing else was taken.

Mr Dickinson, who was born in 1899, served in the Royal Navy during the First World War.

During the Second World War, he was head of the region's civil defence, co-ordinating the blackouts during the air raids. It was this role that earned him an MBE.

Speaking at his home last night, Mr Dickinson said he only had himself to blame for having the money stolen.

"There is nothing else to say really apart from it is my own fault," he said. "I shouldn't have been so engrossed in the snooker."

The thief was aged between 45 and 50 and was wearing a grey suit. He had slightly curly, greying hair and was around 5ft 9in tall.

Anybody who has information is asked to contact Hartlepool Police Station on (01642) 302126.