THIS is the man police want to interview about two callous robberies on pensioners.

Detectives have issued the artist's impression in a bid to trace the attacker who posed as a council worker to get into the pensioners' homes before mugging one of them and stealing cash.

In one of the robberies an 80-year-old man with a walking frame was pushed to the floor when he answered the door of his flat in Witton Parade, Blackburn.

The mugger then stole cash from his trouser pockets as he lay on the ground.

In a second robbery, a man police believe to be the same offender conned his way into a house in Shakespeare Way, Blackburn, and searched the house.

He then asked the pensioner if he suffered from arthritis and searched him in an attempt to find a wallet.

He fled when asked to produce identification.

The offences occurred within an hour of each other.

Both victims have described the man as speaking with an Irish accent.

The robber was wearing a dark coloured jacket and dark trousers at the time of the offences.

Detective Constable John Gallagher, of Blackburn CID, said: "One of these crimes was a particularly callous attack."

He added: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen this man or who has information to call us."

The number to ring is 01254 353569.

Mr Gallagher went on to warn pensioners that they should always ask for identification from callers who they did not know.

They should also use door security such as door chains if they had them, he said. PICTURE: The artist's impression