A CONMAN attempted to burgle an almost blind woman, after talking his way into her home.

The 84-year-old victim, who lives on her own and is registered blind, noticed a man waving at her from outside the rear gate of her bungalow in Blackhall, east Durham, at about 6pm on Tuesday.

She unlocked the back door of her Aged Miners' Homes, near the Co-op store, and the man walked in, telling the pensioner he needed to use her phone because his car had been stolen or broken into.

She told him she did not have a phone, so the man went into her bedroom, saying he wanted to use paper and a pen.

When he left, the woman noticed her handbag had been moved, although it did not appear anything was stolen.

Although the woman has only limited sight, she was able to give a description of the man to the police.

He was 5ft 10in to 6ft, slim, with short, dark hair and a pale complexion. He wore a grey, long-sleeved jumper with an emblem on the left side of his chest and blue trousers. He was possibly aged in his early twenties.

Anyone who may have seen the man in Blackhall is asked to contact Peterlee CID on 0191-586 2621.