A BOGUS official has taken more than £2,000 worth of valuables and cash from a 90-year-old woman.

But in another incident a pensioner refused to let a conman into his flat forcing him to leave with nothing.

In the first crime on Whittam Road, Chorley, a man conned his way into the home of the elderly woman saying he was from a window fitting company.

While she was downstairs he went up to her bedroom and stole jewellery.

In the second incident later the same day at 2pm, a 83-year-old man stood his ground when a bogus water board official attempted to enter his home in Rawlinson Lane, Heath Charnock.

DC Irene Hoban said: "Even when the offender put his foot over the threshold of the door the elderly gentleman was adamant he was not going to come in. Elderly people should ask for identification from people who claim they are from some sort of official department.

"If they can't produce this then they should not be afraid to phone the police. We need to know when these incidents occur."

Items stolen in the first incident include a £1,000 gold engagement ring containing three small diamonds, a £500 plain gold eternity ring, a £100 brooch with a flower pattern and a gold border and a gold watch with a small face and expanding strap worth £200 as well as £1,000 cash.

The offender is described as aged 50, white with dark, cropped hair and a round face. He was wearing dark trousers and a dirty collared, white open necked short-sleeve shirt.

Anyone with any information should contact DC Hoban on 01257 246364 or confidentially on 0800 555 111.