A BOGUS workman kept a pensioner talking while his accomplice stole items worth more than £6,000 from the woman's South Hetton home.

The home owner, believed to be in her 60s, was gardening when she was approached by a man who offered to do some work for her.

It was while the conman kept the victim talking that a second man went into the house and stole a Derby dinner service worth £2,000, a 22-carat gold watch set with diamonds and a sapphire, valued at £3,000, a bracelet worth £1,000 and a camcorder and camera jointly valued at £500.

It was not until the two men had left the scene in a white van that the homeowner went inside her house and noticed the bedroom door was open.

After looking around, she realised that her cherished items had been stolen.

The theft from the terraced house in Bevan Square took place last week, on Thursday, between 12.30pm and 1pm.

A spokesman at Peterlee Police office described the crime yesterday as "heartless'' and one which had left the victim in a distraught condition.

He also warned residents in the area to be on their guard and appealed for anyone with any information to get in touch with the police on 0845 6060 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.