ELDERLY people have been hit by a series of distraction burglaries by builders claiming to be repairing storm damage.

At least four households in Teesdale have been targeted by the bogus builders and police say it is possible there could be other victims who are unaware that they have been burgled.

The first incident was reported in the Mickleton area at 3.20pm on Wednesday when an elderly resident was approached by builders offering to repair damage to her roof after the heavy storms.

While she was distracted, somebody gained access to her property, although it is still unclear if anything was taken.

At 4pm, a similar distraction technique was used at a house in Vere Road, Barnard Castle.

At 4.15pm, an elderly resident in Queen Street, Barnard Castle, found two men at the rear of her house who offered to repair her roof.

An elderly woman in the Orchard Grove area of Gainford, was left distraught after a handbag and cash stolen from her house after burglars distracted her and gained access between 4.30pm and 5pm.

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle police, said: "These particular crimes are preying on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"Many of them were already worried about the damage to their property and they have been left scared and upset by these incidents."

* Police arrested eight men at 5.30pm on Wednesday following reports of similar suspicious activity at High Riggs and Churchill Road in Barnard Castle and Startforth. They were last night released on police bail pending further inquiries.