PENSIONERS have been warned to be on their guard after two houses within walking distance of each other in the area were burgled by a woman who tricked the elderly occupants.

Police believe it was the same woman in each incident, which happened within an hour of each other, and are appealing for anyone who knows her or anyone with information about these incidents or others in the area to contact them.

The woman, described as white, 30 years old, 5ft 6ins, with long dark hair, called at a house in Dixon Street, Barrowford, between 4.45 and 5.10pm, on Sunday.

DC Ruth Chew said: "She asked the 82-year-old male owner of the house and his elderly wife several medical questions and asked the wife for a cup of tea.

"She then asked to go to the toilet and while upstairs stole £500 worth of old crown coins and then left." The second incident occurred around the same time on Sunday, between 4 and 5pm, in Riverway.

On this occasion the thief pretended to be from the social services and again asked for a cup of tea.

She went to the bathroom and made a search of the woman's bedroom and stole a shopping bag and a quantity of cash. She was seen leaving Riverway in a white vehicle.

The police believe she changed jackets between the two incidents as she was believed to be wearing a green and brown bubble coat at the first house and a white coat with multi-coloured jeans at the second.

DC Chew said: "There have a been a number of these type of offences in Nelson and Barrowford this year and we would warn elderly occupants to be on their guard when official bodies visit them.

"They should always ask for ID because if they are a genuine visitor they wouldn't mind waiting."

Anyone with information should contact Nelson CID on 01282 472644.