A BOGUS caller stole almost £1,000 from a couple in their eighties after posing as a window cleaner.

The man knocked on the couple's door in Westmoreland Street, Darlington, after spotting a "wanted" sign in their window for an electric fire.

He was invited in and chatted about the sign, before asking if they wanted their windows cleaned.

He washed the windows and asked for £6 in payment. The pensioner handed him £60 by mistake, but did not realise his error immediately.

The intruder left but when the couple, both 85, went upstairs they realised the intruder had taken £900 in cash from a bedroom. Acting Inspector Steven Steen, of Darlington police, said: "It will be their life savings I would imagine. They will be very stressed and upset about it.

"When the man said goodbye he left the couple in the front room and closed the door behind him. They didn't go upstairs for about 15 minutes, which is when they he must have searched the bedroom and taken the money."

The thief is described as white, about 5ft 10ins, aged about 25, slim and clean-shaven with fair cropped hair. He was wearing blue jeans, a blue denim jacket and black trainers and had a Darlington accent.

Anyone with information about the theft, which happened at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or police on (01325) 467681.