POLICE today appealed to criminals to help them find a "gutless" conman who stole £1,700 life savings from a pensioner confined to a wheelchair.

The man talked his way into the 75-year-old woman's home in the Carr Road area of Darwen and stole the cash while she looked on helplessly.

He told the woman he was from the water board but she only realised his true identity when he started to search her living-room.

Police said she had just come out of hospital after undergoing major surgery on her legs.

She begged the conman to leave and cried out: "What are you doing?" But he continued to rifle through her belongings.

Detectives believe even hardened criminals would be appalled by the incident and are appealing for them to turn the man in.

The man was seen by others in the area later in the afternoon but despite making calls to other houses he was denied access.

Detective Sergeant Paul Elms said: "This is a gutless and cowardly offence, preying on vulnerable and elderly people, particularly at this time of year.

"To pick on someone who can't even get out of their chair is shocking.

"That is why we want to make the appeal to any criminals in the town who may be able to track this man down -- even they would be shocked. All calls will be made in the strictest of confidence.

"We also want to remind people to be wary of callers and to check their identification and ring their company before letting them in. If the caller is genuine, he or she will not mind.

"Also we want to plead to people to put their money in a bank or building society and not keep their money at home, this is the only way to make sure this doesn't happen again."

The conman is described as white, about 40-years-old, 5ft 5in tall, medium build, balding and possibly totally bald, cleanly shaven, with a local accent and wearing blue overalls with white writing on the right breast.

Coun Frank Connor, the victim's ward councillor, said: "It's a most cowardly offence when people take advantage of the elderly. It is an absolute disgrace. Those responsible should be put inside and taken out of society.

"I would like to think that even criminals would be shocked and even though they are criminals, they would think taking advantage of a sick elderly person was atrocious and a disgrace."

United Utilities today warned old and vulnerable people to be on their guard against bogus callers.

It has produced a special door hanger to remind elderly people what to do when opening the door to strangers.

Noela Kelly, United Utilities customer services manager, said: "We are keen to do everything possible to raise awareness of this type of crime.

"We are urging people to be on their guard so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas."

Anyone with information about the incident on Tuesday at 1.30pm should call Darwen Police Station on 01254 701777 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.