DETECTIVES are hoping forensic tests will lead them to a callous conman.

Police are now certain the bogus official who struck in Haswell, east Durham, on Wednesday, January 8, is the same man who called half an hour later at a nearby village.

The man escaped from pensioner George Sharpe's home with £200. He gained entry by pretending to be a council worker carrying out draught-proofing work.

Mr Sharpe, an 82-year-old widower, died of a heart attack three hours after the man conned his way into his home in Haswell, east Durham, on Wednesday, January 8.

In the aftermath of the tragedy a 78-year-old man in the nearby village of Shotton Colliery came forward to say he too may have been duped by the same person. The conman called less than half an hour after he left Mr Sharpe.

The caller, matching the description of the man who struck at Mr Sharpe's home, told the former miner he was from the water board.

But the pensioner, who has asked not to be identified, sent him packing.

Forensic experts have carried out a detailed search of the second man's house, in Tudor Court, looking for clues.

Now detectives are waiting for the results of tests in the hope of a breakthrough in the case.

The public have also called police with tip-offs in the hope the fraudster can be caught before he strikes again.

The imposter who duped Mr Sharpe called at the house in Faraday Terrace the previous Sunday, but left empty-handed when confronted by Mr Sharpe's nephew.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is leading the inquiry, said: "The elderly gentleman became suspicious when the bogus official said he had called to check his water supply. Instead of checking his main taps he started fiddling with his washing machine taps.

"The gentleman told him, in no uncertain terms, where to go."

Det Supt Stephenson said he was almost certain it was the same man and inquiries were being made in the Shotton Colliery area to see if there had been any other sightings of the man.

He was said to be in his thirties, 5ft 5in, well-built, clean shaven, with fair complexion and a square face.

He was wearing a dark donkey jacket, a tweed flat cap and dark woollen gloves.

An inquest into Mr Sharpe's death is expected to take place this week, allowing his family to proceed with funeral arrangements.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0191-586 2621, or Crimestoppers' freephone line, on (0800) 555111.