BOGUS officials have duped an elderly couple and a 91-year-old woman out of their belongings.

Police have issued a warning to householders in the Derwentside area to beware unidentified callers following the thefts.

In both cases, the first in Dipton and the second in Consett, two men pretended to be water company officials to gain access to the pensioners' homes.

During mid-morning on Tuesday they called at the home of an elderly couple in Delight Row, Dipton, claiming they were investigating reports of a burst water pipe. While one of the men checked taps and kept the couple talking, his accomplice walked into the living room and stole more than £100 from a handbag.

Shortly after 11am, the same day, police received a report that two men had called at the home of a 91-year-old woman in The Crescent, Consett, claiming they were investigating low water pressure. Again the woman was kept talking while the accomplice went into a bedroom and took personal papers and a cheque book

One of the men was described as in his mid-20s, 5ft 8in, of medium build, with light blond hair cut short at the sides. He wore a cream long-sleeved sweatshirt and cream tracksuit bottoms.

His accomplice was 5ft 10in, of medium build, with neat mid-brown hair cut short at back but longer on top. He wore a cream Adidas sweatshirt and black trousers.