A BOGUS water company worker escaped with more than £1,000 after conning his way into a pensioner's home.

The politely-spoken teenager told an 80-year-old woman, who lives alone at Coronation Road, Wingate, County Durham, that he was investigating water supply problems.

While he carried fake checks in the unnamed woman's kitchen, his accomplice sneaked into a bedroom and stole a four-figure sum of cash from a biscuit tin, a bank book and a bag containing a further £200.

The incident happened after 5pm on Thursday and follows two similar distraction burglaries, at Croxdale and Coxhoe, County Durham, the previous week.

A Durham Police spokes-man urged pensioners to always check callers' identification before letting them into their homes. "If in doubt, they should call the police," he said.

The teenager was 5ft 9in, has brown hair and was well spoken, possibly trying to disguise his normal voice.

Anyone with information should call Peterlee CID on 0191-586 2621 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.

A Northumbrian Water spokeswoman said people in doubt about a caller purporting to be a company representative should ask for identification.

If the householder is still unsure they can contact the customer contact centre to check the ID - a genuine employee will not mind waiting.

The number is (0845) 717 1100