POLICE are looking for bogus callers preying on the elderly in Northallerton and Thirsk.

Two males called at the home of an elderly couple in Northallerton at about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

They tried to persuade the occupants to go into the garden to inspect damage to a fence.

When this was unsuccessful, they managed to talk their way inside, giving them a story about how the council intended to remove their boundary wall.

While one kept the couple distracted, the other went upstairs and searched the bedrooms, but it seems that nothing was taken.

The first caller is described as aged 14 to 15 and about 5ft 5ins tall. He spoke with a stammer. The second was aged between 20 and 30, 5ft 11ins tall with bright ginger hair close cut and brushed forward. He was wearing a blue jacket and was well spoken.

In a separate incident, two men called at the home of an partially blind elderly woman in Sowerby, near Thirsk, at 1.30pm on Wednesday.

They told her some tiles had blown off her roof.

While one kept her in the garden, the other went into the house and stole her purse, which contained a considerable amount of cash.

Police say it is not known if the two incidents are linked.

Anyone with information is asked to call Northallerton CID on (01609) 789458.