A "DESPICABLE" thief struck at the home of an 87-year-old pensioner and stole £500.

And now police are warning other residents in Harle Syke and Duke Bar areas to be on the look out for the thief after the strike in Briercliffe Road.

The 87-year-old man was in the back yard of his home when he was approached by a man claiming to be the son of his next-door-neighbour.

Police said the man said he had noticed some loose slates on the roof and offered to repair them for £10.

The pensioner agreed and the man completed the work and was invited into the house to collect his cash.

Police said the pensioner and conman went into the lounge where the homeowner took out £10 from a wallet.

He was then disturbed by somebody ringing the front door bell and when he returned the thief had made off with the rest of his cash, totalling £500.

It is not known if the person who rung the doorbell was working with the thief.

Insp Damian Darcy, of Burnley Police, said: "This was a very serious offence and a despicable crime committed against an old and vulnerable man living on his own.

"I would urge people to be on the look out for this man in the Harle Syke and Duke Bar areas and to come forward to police with any information they may have.

"People should also be on their guard against this type of crime and make sure that they ask for identification if they get a visit from somebody claiming to be from an organisation.

"A genuine caller won't mind waiting while it is checked they are bona fide. If people have any doubts they can call police."

The thief was described as white, 5ft7in tall, slim, with receding brown hair, in his early 20s and wearing a black jumper, grey and green canvas shoes and blue and grey wollen fingerless gloves.

The incident happened at about 8pm on Wednesday.