POLICE in Sedgefield are warning elderly people to be careful of who they allow into their homes.

The warning comes after a pensioner had her purse and cash stolen after allowing two men into her home at the weekend.

They came to her house, in the Meadows, Sedgefield Village, at about 2.30pm, on Sunday, and said they were builders.

The woman, in her 70s, allowed them in to wash their hands.

She then said she would get a drink for the pair, but they left suddenly - leaving the pensioner to discover her purse had gone.

Detective Constable Ian Ferguson, of Newton Aycliffe Police, warned elderly people to show caution when callers come to their door.

He said: "Elderly people should be very careful of who they let into their homes.

"They should ask for identification, and if they are unhappy about the person or suspicious of them at all, they should contact the police immediately."

The men spoke with local accents. One is described as being about 6ft, with dark eyes and was very thin.

He had short black hair and was wearing scruffy clothes.

The woman saw one of the men getting out of a small grey car.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Newton Aycliffe Police on (01325) 314401.