ELDERLY householders are being urged to be on their guard following two distraction burglaries.

The first incident took place at about 3.15pm on Monday, when an elderly woman answered the door at her home in Rowan Road, Eaglescliffe to a man and a girl aged about 12.

The pair said they were looking for a lost kitten and while the householder helped them look for it, the man entered the house and stole about £200, a pension book and credit card.

On the same day, at about 5.45pm, a similar incident occurred in North Albert Road, Norton. A young girl knocked at the door to say she was looking for her kitten.

The elderly woman went outside with the child to look for the animal, leaving her door unlocked, but closed.

When she returned to the house her purse containing about £30 was missing.

DC Paul Ryder, of Stockton CID, said: "It appears these two people are deliberately targeting elderly and vulnerable people.

"If anyone is unsure about the identity of anyone calling at their home I would stress, please do not let them in."

The only description police have of the pair is that the girl is aged about 12 and the man has ginger hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact (01642) 302226.