A THIEF who stole a pensioner's Christmas money is being hunted by police.

The 85-year-old was robbed of his wallet on Tuesday after a man called at his house in Stokesley at about 11am.

The man said he was looking for a lost cat and was invited inside the pensioner's home.

While there, he searched the premises and stole the wallet.

The victim had been to the bank the day before and taken out a substantial sum of money to buy Christmas presents. Police described the theft as mean and despicable and urged anyone with information to call 0845-60-60-247.

The man was white, slim and in his mid-thirties, with an Irish accent.