THIEVES stole a large amount of money from an 87-year-old woman in an elaborate confidence trick in which they claimed to be delivering a parcel to her Darlington home.

The pensioner answered the door to a man wearing a smart navy blue suit shortly after 4pm on Tuesday.

He told the woman he had a parcel to deliver before walking away.

She went back inside and saw the man cross the road and knock on another door.

He returned shortly afterwards and walked into the porch of the house without knocking, and spoke to the victim again.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said: "It would appear that, at that point, she has been distracted and another male entered the house."

Once inside, the accomplice went upstairs and rifled through drawers, stealing £90, plus another large amount of cash which had recently been withdrawn from a bank.

The whole incident is believed to have lasted about 20 minutes.

The man, who was carrying a parcel, was described as 5ft 8in, with short, blond hair and clean shaven.

Detectives are not ruling out links to a similar incident in Coniscliffe Road, on the outskirts of Darlington, about an hour earlier, when £500 was stolen.

However, the descriptions of the callers are different, and they are not thought to be the same person.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681.

Alternatively, callers can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.