AN elderly woman who answered the door to a man claiming to be from the council later discovered two purses containing £40 had been stolen.

The man called at the 79-year-old victim's home in Princess Avenue, Windlehurst, at about 3pm on Friday, January 19.

He claimed he had been sent by St Helens Council to do repairs and invited the woman to step outside to check the gutters.

When she went back inside, the man had left and she later discovered the purses and cash were missing.

Police believe that an accomplice may have slipped into the house while they were outside.

The caller was white, aged in his 30s with a large build and about 6ft tall. He had short, brown hair, was clean-shaven and wore a cream suit.

Anyone with information can contact DC John Crehan at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6064 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.