POLICE are hunting two burglars who trapped a pensioner in her kitchen before raiding her home.

The 75-year-old allowed the men into her house in Darlington after they posed as water company officials.

One of the pair asked the woman to loosen the u-bend pipe under the kitchen sink. As she did so he pushed the washing machine in front of the kitchen door.

"She was prevented from getting out of the kitchen and was effectively trapped in there," said Detective Constable Owen Turnbull, from Darlington police.

The other man then went to an upstairs bedroom and stole jewellery, including a valuable three-string cream pearl necklace with a diamond clasp, before the pair escaped.

The woman called police after managing to climb over the washing machine.

"She was upset when we first got there, bordering on being hysterical," said Det Con Turnbull.

"When she realised the jewellery had gone - most of which she had had for years - she was even more upset.

"They appeared to have targeted her as she was quite elderly and lives on her own."

The incident happened at about 6.30pm last Thursday.

Both men were white. The first was in his early twenties, quite slim, with a pale complexion and short, fair hair.

He was wearing a long-sleeved beige top and beige jeans.

The other, for which police have issued an e-fit picture (left) was in his late thirties, about 5ft 6in and stocky, with short, dark, wavy hair.

He was dressed in a three-quarter length coat and sandy yellow gloves.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Vicky Cooper on (01325) 467681.