An 86-year-old woman was burgled by a man who tricked his way into her home pretending to be a water company worker.

Police are warning elderly people to take care if visited by cold callers after the distraction burglary in Dewe Road, Brighton, at 11.30am on Thursday.

The man claimed he needed to turn off the water supply because of a leak nearby.

The woman let him into the kitchen and he asked her to check the tap in her garden.

When she came back he was gone.

At 12.30pm a genuine boiler worker arrived by appointment.

When the woman tried to pay him she realised £80 had been stolen from her purse, which was in her handbag in the lounge.

The conman was white, about 40, 5ft 7in, stocky and clean shaven with short brown hair.

He was wearing a dark suit.

Police are urging people not to open the door to unexpected callers and to demand identification before letting anyone in.

They should ensure all doors and windows are shut before answering the door to an unknown visitor so no accomplices can get in while they are distracted.