A WARNING has been issued to pensioners after a 92-year-old woman had her winter fuel money stolen by bogus callers.

While one man, claiming to be from a water company, distracted the woman, another sneaked upstairs and took the £200 government handout she had just collected.

The money was snatched from a purse hidden in the woman's bedroom, while a further £100 was taken from a separate location in the room.

The bogus official called at the home in Longfield Road, Darlington, at about 2.20pm on Tuesday and said he wanted to check the water while work was being carried out nearby.

Despite the woman's misgivings, the man walked past her and into the kitchen, where he asked her to empty a cupboard beneath the sink as he ran water in the taps.

She refused to cooperate, but a second man quickly shouted that the theft had been carried out and the pair left.

The raid is thought to have taken four minutes.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said the attack was "particularly poignant" because of the woman's age and vulnerability.

He said: "It's a sad reflection of society when somebody stoops so low."

He said the women was left very upset by the attack and urged people of all ages to be very careful with callers.

Mark Brown, Department of Social Security regional information officer, said that because the payments were being made during the weeks leading up to Christmas, pensioners should be particularly careful and bank the cheques as soon as possible.

l Police are trying to trace two teenagers after a 90-year-old woman in Norton, Stockton, had £200 stolen in a burglary.

Although the woman was badly shaken by Monday's raid, she was unhurt.

The thieves were aged 15 to 16. One was slim with short, dark hair, and wore a black tracksuit.

The other was smaller, with a round face. He had short dark hair and was wearing an anorak, possibly with red trim on the sleeves.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Dave Clough on (01642) 302226.