THE family of a pensioner who died hours after being burgled made an emotional appeal for information today.

Sue Hutchinson, 72, the sister-in-law of George Sharpe, spoke on behalf of the family at Peterlee Police Station, where an investigation into the burglary is based.

A team of 40 officers are trying to trace the bogus council worker who conned his way into 82-year-old Mr Sharpe's home, in Faraday Terrace, Haswell, County Durham, and stole £200 from a drawer.

Three hours after the incident, on Wednesday night, the pensioner died from a heart attack as he was being comforted by relatives.

The incident marked the third time Mr Sharpe, who walked with the aid of two sticks and suffered from a serious heart condition, had been targeted by bogus callers.

Last February, he was robbed of more than £2,000 by a man claiming to be from the water board, and on Sunday, his nephew Laurence Hopkins sent away an intruder who threw back the sliding doors to Mr Sharpe's living room.

Mrs Hutchinson, a retired social worker, who was accompanied by Mr Hopkins, described Mr Sharpe as "a real gentleman with a nice sense of humour."

She said: "George was a very trusting man and it would never occur to him to suspect anyone who appeared to be a friendly, genuine caller.

"I speak for George's family and friends - we are all devastated at what has happened and feel angry and distressed that anyone could do such a cruel thing.

"To target an elderly man who could hardly walk, was very frail and unable to defend himself is just beyond belief."

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is leading the investigation, said that due to publicity, a shift worker who claimed to know the burglar's identity had been traced and formed part of ongoing inquiries.

He confirmed that the man who called on Wednesday was the same as the Sunday evening intruder, and was being linked with offences in Stockton and Darlington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 0191-586 2621 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.