AN 84-year-old villager became the latest victim in a new spate of bogus callers to homes in the Darlington area when she fell foul of green-fingered conmen.

The two men called at the house in Sadberge, near Darlington, at about 3pm on Tuesday, and asked her if she required any work to her garden.

When she invited them inside, it was claimed the work would be carried out by a relative and payment could be claimed from benefits.

The men told the pensioner they needed to see her pension book and she went, with one of the men, into another room.

However, the second man waited behind in a room containing the pensioner's purse.

They talked more about the work and the men left, explaining that the work would be carried out soon.

The woman noticed later that a small amount of cash had been stolen from her purse.

The first man is described as male, white, short, of stocky build, an in his early 20s. He has a round face, clean shaven with dark hair.

His accomplice, also male and white, is about 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in, about 20 years old, of slim build, clean shaven and with fair hair.

Last week, there were two incidents in Darlington where bogus water officials called at pensioners' houses and stole items. There was a similar incident in the town on Monday.

Anybody who has any information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.