A KIND-HEARTED pensioner had her purse stolen after she let a thief into her house for a drink of water.

The trusting woman was conned at about 2pm on Tuesday.

The trickster knocked on the pensioner's front door at Peebles Avenue, Hartlepool, and asked for a glass of water.

When she went to get a drink, he stole her purse, which contained £10 in cash and credit cards, and ran off in the direction of Oxford Road.

Although not physically hurt by the incident, the victim was left very shaken.

She described him as tall and slim, in his twenties, with short fair hair and dressed in blue.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to call Hartlepool police on (01429) 302126.