A burglar told two elderly people whose homes he had broken into that he was there because he had seen thieves

The man struck twice in less than an hour on Saturday night at houses in Caton and Lancaster, and attempted to deceive the female residents, who both raised the alarm.

In the first incident, between 7.45pm and 8pm, he broke in to the house of an 86-year-old woman at Greenfields, Caton.

He was confronted while searching through drawers and cupboards and told the woman her home had been burgled and he had seen someone coming in through the back window.

She asked him to leave and later discovered that £30 in cash and £2 worth of old coins had been stolen.

Between 8.20pm and 8.25pm the man broke into sheltered accommodation at City Heights Grove, Lancaster.

He made his way to the master bedroom before being confronted by the 65-year-old female resident.

She asked him what he was doing and he said he had detained two burglars who were breaking in to the property.

She operated her alarm and the man made off quickly through the front door.

Nothing was stolen.

The man is described as 5ft 8in tall, in his early 30s, of medium build with short, dark hair, receding slightly at the front, wearing a dark donkey jacket, black trousers and grey boots.

He may have spoken with an Irish accent.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lancaster police on 01524 63333.