POLICE are urging elderly people not to let strangers into their homes without checking their identity.

It comes after a thief stole £60 from a trusting Preston pensioner while she was making a cup of tea for him. He had told her he was her neighbour's son.

Lilian Gregson, 75, of Gillett Street, Ribbleton, said she had no reason to doubt the man was telling the truth when he knocked at her door inquiring about her neighbours who were out at the time.

Believing they would be back soon Mrs Gregson invited the man in to wait after he told her he was their son.

But while she was in the kitchen he stole her purse, containing the last £60 of her pension, before making off.

Mrs Gregson said: "He was very polite and very quiet. He asked me how I was and he seemed really nice.

"It was only when I got up to make him a cup of tea that I realised my purse was on display. But I knew he had it when he asked if he could get his cigarettes from his car. I then heard him speed off toward Skeffington Road."

Mrs Gregson, who has lived in the ground floor sheltered housing flat for nearly three years, said she is annoyed at what happened on Friday, January 9, at 7pm.

"He has taken advantage of my good nature," she said. "I am a decent person and he has just ignored that.

"I will never do it again, never again. No way."

Now police are urging other people not to make the same mistake.

PC Ken Dickinson, of Preston police, said: "Elderly people can be so trusting. I urge them not to let anyone into their home that they are not sure of.

"We want them to get into the habit of checking everyone's identification."

The man is white, between 35 and 45-years-old, 5ft 3ins-5ft 4ins tall and stocky. He had short, straight, dark brown hair with a clean shaven round face, local accent and wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information should contact Preston police on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.