An 84-year-old woman was conned by bogus workman after they used a distraction to burgle her home.

The Shoreham woman opened her door to a man at her home in Old Shoreham Road who said he was a builder and needed to use a ladder at around 1pm on Monday.

He took him out to the back garden to look at what ladders he would need and while he was chatting to her, another man went into her house and stole jewellery from a bedroom.

The first suspect is described as white, aged in his late 40s to early 50s, 5' 9", with very short grey hair, grey stubble of medium build and was wearing a white t-shirt and trousers.

The second suspect is described as white, aged in his 30s with short brown hair, 5' 9", of medium build and was wearing a yellow or beige coloured t-shirt.

Sergeant Jo Webb said: "Please check the identification for anyone who knocks on your door and don't let anyone in who does not show you some.

"No police officer or official person will mind if you ask to see their warrant card or a form of ID and will wait while you check it properly.

"If you have a security chain on your door, keep it on while you check to see who is there and what they want. Most importantly, if you're not expecting someone and you don't know them, don't let them into your home, no matter what they say to you. If you have any concerns about someone calling at your door, call the police immediately."

If you have any information about this incident please contact police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 0877 of 07/07.