A FORMER mayor of Stockton has been conned out of £200 by fraudsters claiming to be workmen.

Councillor Michael O'Brien, who was the town's mayor from 1991to 1992, had notes and a wallet stolen from his back pocket after he let the men into his home on Monday.

The three bogus officials told Coun O'Brien they were from the water board and they needed to turn his water off.

One of the thieves then grabbed the wallet and cash from the 73-year-old's back pocket when he bent down in the kitchen to turn the water tap off.

Coun O'Brien, who lives in Thornaby, said: "As I bent down I felt a hand on my back pocket. I jumped up and they ran off. I tried to run after them, but they had gone. After what happened to me I will certainly be more wary about strangers calling at my door."

The first man spoke with an Irish accent, was about 5ft 7in tall, with dark hair and in his late 20s. He wore a grey jacket and a baseball cap.

The second man was about the same height and had a baby face. A third man, who is thought to have stolen the wallet, wore a baseball cap.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Thornaby police on (01642) 302810