AN elderly couple thwarted an attempted burglary by bogus callers after they refused to leave them alone in the house.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in the Lomond Walk area of West Auckland.

The men gained entry to the couple's home by pretending to be from the water board.

But despite attempts to try to get the couple to accompany one man into the bathroom, they separated and made sure that the intruders were not left alone in the house.

Detective Constable Darren Philips said: "They have not been able to do a thing because the couple refused to leave them on their own. They were last seen heading towards Front Street, West Auckland, where it is possible they met up with a third man."

The first man was described as 5ft 6in with fair collar-length hair and was wearing a beige sweatshirt.

The second man was about 5ft 8in, of medium build with dark brown collar-length hair. He was wearing a navy blue round-necked sweatshirt. Both men are thought to be in their 20s.

Witnesses can contact Det Con Philips or Det Con Andrea Wood at Bishop Auckland Police on (01388) 603566.