A BOGUS council officer made off with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery after tricking a pensioner into believing she was a genuine caller.

The woman, in her late-20s, called on the 81-year-old at about 11.30am on Saturday.

When she arrived at the house, in Peel Street, Darlington, the woman said she was from Darlington Borough Council and wanted to discuss security and other issues regarding the house, where the pensioner lives with her sister, who is also retired.

She was inside the home for about ten minutes before the women became suspicious and she left, but she already had her haul, which is valuable both in financial and sentimental value.

The haul included gold watches and rings.

Last night, council bosses last night warned anybody who receives such a call, particularly out of office hours.

A spokesman said the council does not send callers out of hours, unless by prior appointment.

And he added anybody who receives a caller, whose identity is in any doubt, should check their credentials with the town hall on (01325) 380651.

"Any council official should have identification, complete with a photograph," he said.

"We wouldn't have people visiting on a weekend unless somebody had requested that."

The woman is described as white, 5ft 2in to 5ft 4in tall, proportionately built, with a white, thin face and dark brown straggly hair, wearing a grey floppy hat with a brim, a dark anorak and grey jogging bottoms.

Anybody who has any information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.