POLICE issued a warning to elderly homeowners last night after a bogus detective tried to trick three pensioners out of their money.

The man, who claimed to be representing Darlington police, called at the home of a 90-year-old woman in the Whessoe Road area on Thursday afternoon.

After speaking to her in the lounge of her flat, he left at about 2.15pm without taking anything.

But a short time later, he knocked at the nearby door of a woman in her 70s and introduced himself as a detective, warning that counterfeit money was circulating in the area.

He offered to check any notes that the pensioner had, to see if they were genuine or not. However, she declined and he left without entering the property.

At 3.15pm, an 84-year-old woman in North Road answered her door to the man, who said he was "Giles" from the local CID.

Again, he warned about counterfeit £20 and £10 notes and said he would check any money she might have.

When she asked which station he was from, he replied: "The main one in the town." She declined his offer and he left empty-handed.

The man is described as aged 30 to 40, between 6ft and 6ft 3in, of medium build, with thick, short black hair.

He was wearing a black leather jacket, dark trousers and a checked shirt.

Detective Constable Jennifer Gardiner said: "This man is not a police officer and these ladies were right to be suspicious of him.

"We would urge householders, and the elderly in particular, to be alert to the possibility that he might call at their homes."

Anyone with information about the man is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.