DETECTIVES have again warned elderly people to be on their guard after a 91-year-old woman was targeted by conmen.

The 'distraction burglary' was the latest in a long line of bogus callers who prey on the elderly in East Lancashire.

Earlier this month police in Burnley launched a scheme to clamp down on bogus callers.

Only two days ago officers in Hyndburn warned residents to be on the look-out after burglars stole two handbags in a week.

In the latest incident the elderly victim, who has asked not to be named, was putting her bin out at her flat in Brownhill, Blackburn, at 12.20pm on Tuesday.

She was approached by a man who asked to check her drains. While she was distracted a second entered the house and stole her purse, containing £200 cash. Both were white, had local accents and wore light coloured jackets.

The first, who distracted the victim, was aged 40, 5ft 6ins, with short, black hair. His accomplice, who stole the purse, was 45 years old, 5ft 10ins, with brown hair.

Police said the incident was particularly distressing for the elderly victim as she had been the victim of a robbery eight years ago when she had been tied up and bundled under the stairs by two men who raided her home.

Det Con John Gallagher, of Blackburn CID, said: "This is a despicable type of crime where elderly and vulnerable people are targeted by callous criminals. This lady has been traumatised by this incident.

"People, especially the elderly, should always be on their guard against bogus callers.

"They should always ask to see some form of identification before allowing anyone into their house and, if still unsure, should not hesitate to call the police."

Burnley Police held a conference on the problem of distraction burglaries at Turf Moor last week with community nurses, social workers, Age Concern, Help the Aged, Meals on Wheels, hospital staff and community beat officers.

Speakers included members of the National Distraction Burglary Task Force, set up by the Government and organisations working for the elderly.

Crime prevention officer PC Dave Sykes of Burnley Police said they were making a concerted effort to tackle the problem.

Earlier this week a bogus caller stole a handbag from a house in Rothwell Avenue, Accrington, and another last Thursday from a property in Havelock Street, Oswaldtwistle.

Both times the man said he was working on the property next door and feared he may have damaged their house.

After sending the owners upstairs to inspect their walls he fled with their handbags.