A MAN today told how he was afraid for himself and others after bogus officials stole £2,200 from pensioners' homes.

David Nuttall, 64, of Burnley Close, Blackburn, said he was angry that a man pretending to be from the water board had tricked him.

Police said Mr Nuttall could be one of a number of pensioners targeted by bogus officials.

Three men with Irish accents struck at properties in Great Harwood and Blackburn, stealing around £2,200.

And the same gang, pretending to be from the water board, are thought to have preyed on pensioners in the same areas the week before and could be using the M65 as a "corridor" for their crimes.

Mr Nuttall said: "I won't be letting anyone in now who hasn't got ID. The first man came to the door and I did ask him for ID but he said something about being too high up to need it.

"He said he was from the water board so I showed him into the kitchen and he asked me to empty the cupboard out under the sink. It seemed strange but I just thought it must be something to do with the pipes under there.

"Then he asked me to boil water in two pans. It was then he rang someone who he kept calling boss.

"I was a bit shaken by it all and annoyed."

Residents are now being warned to be on their guard, to ask for identification, and not to let anyone unknown into their properties.

Detective Sergeant Gary Dunnagan said: "No one from the water board would ever ask you to put on a pan of boiling water."

The thefts on Friday were in Granville Road, Great Harwood at 9.30am, Burnley Close, Blackburn, at 10.30am and then Coronation Avenue, Blackburn, at 12.50pm. On June 16, they targeted Burnley Road and Gloucester Road.

One thief is described as 5ft 9in, stocky, with short, dark hair in his early 20s. Another is said to be 5ft 5in with straight, dark hair.

A silver Astra or Vectra with three men in was seen close to Coronation Avenue, Blackburn, at the time of that offence. Witnesses are urged to contact the police on 01254 51212.