A BOGUS charity worker stole £100 from a partially sighted old woman after telling her he was working for the blind.

The woman, who is 84 and lives in Nelson, was tricked into letting the man into her house to pay for kitchenware he claimed to be selling on behalf of a blind society.

Police have now issued a warning to people to be on their guard against doorstep sellers.

A police spokesman said: "Our enquiries with charities for the blind have confirmed that they do not have people going from house to house selling things.

"If someone comes to the door it is vital to check who they are.

"A bona-fide person, say from the council or the gas or the water, will have an ID card. Take it off them and close the door on them so that you can have a detailed look at what it says. Don't let them in.

"The caller went to the house at 5pm, after it had gone dark. If the person is genuine he, or she, will agree to come back at a more convenient time."

Detectives want to speak to anyone who saw the bogus charity worker in the Railway Street area on Friday, October 31.

He is between 25 and 30 years old, clean shaven and with dark, short hair. He is about 6ft tall, stockily built and has a local accent.

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