POLICE in Darwen are hunting a man who stole several hundred pounds from an 87-year-old widow after conning his way into her home claiming to be a builder.

The man talked his way into the pensioner's home in Dove Lane, Darwen, at around 2.30pm yesterday , saying he could give her an estimate for repairs to her house.

He then stole a "considerable" amount of money from the woman's bedroom, estimated at between £500 and £1,000. The man is described as white, aged 40 to 50, between 5ft 3ins and 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build and was wearing a dark-coloured suit.

Darwen CID are appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 2.30pm yesterday and may have seen this man to contact them on 01254 353841.