A pensioner has been duped out of cash by a bogus caller who claimed he needed money for train fare to visit his pregnant wife.

The 68-year-old victim, from Sedgefield, County Durham, was at home looking after her sick husband when a man knocked at her door.

Police say the man asked to look at a phone directory for the area claiming he did not have a number he required on his mobile phone.

The woman gave the book to the man and he used his mobile phone to dial a number but did not speak into the phone.

He claimed his wife 'Danielle' had gone into labour in Nottingham and she had all their bank cards with her.

He asked the victim if she could drive him to Nottingham but she explained she was unable to as she was looking after her husband.

The caller inferred he knew her husband and then asked to borrow £70 for train fare to Nottingham, which he promised to return the following week.

He did not pay back the cash and gave a false name, telephone number and address.

The incident occurred about three weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon and details have just been released.

The caller is described as in his late 30s to early 40s, stocky build, with cropped, dark hair.

He had a local accent and "looked smart" in blue jeans and a light-coloured, long-sleeved top.

PC Winter can be contacted at Newton Aycliffe police station on 0345-6060-365.