DETECTIVES are hunting a man who preyed on two pensioners in Blackburn.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said the deception by a bogus caller of two women living in Didsbury Street was "despicable".

He issued a warning to other elderly people never to let unannounced callers into their homes without identification and promised to send a police officer down to check up on anyone suspicious.

Police believe the two women in Didsbury Street were conned by a member of their own local community.

The first incident happened at around midday on Wednesday. A man knocked on the door of a woman in her 70s and said he had come from the council to do some landscaping.

He then appeared to work in the garden for several minutes before asking for a drink of water.

The woman let him in her house and he stole a purse containing £60 in cash from a jacket while she was in the kitchen.

She was not aware there had been a theft until a short while later when she noticed the man was not working in her garden.

The other theft happened a few hours later. A 70 year-old woman was walking into her home with her three year-old grandson and pet dog when she was approached by a man who knew her name.

He asked to use her toilet and she accepted. DI Hunter said that out of politeness she withdrew to another room so her dog would be kept away from the man, but that this gave him the chance to steal.

A cream-coloured purse containing cash and credit cards was taken.

DI Hunter said: "These types of offences when people prey on the elderly are despicable and we are not prepared to tolerate it.

"But it's even more despicable when we have suspects local to the area preying on the elderly in their own community.

"Unannounced callers should have credentials and identification - if not them people shouldn't let them in.

"If people still aren't sure they can call us and, as a matter of priority, we will send an officer to check someone out. Anyone who is genuine will be more than happy to provide identification."

The man was described as white, 5ft 8in tall, with light brown hair, tanned skin, and was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.