BURGLARS posing as water company workers in Macclesfield and Poynton have stolen large sums of money from two pensioners, one aged 96.

The crimes, which left the victims uninjured but extremely upset took place between 4.30pm and 5pm on Saturday, July 18.

The first incident occurred on Hall Close in Macclesfield, while the second happened on Dickens Lane in Poynton.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "The Macclesfield victim, a 96-year-old man, answered the door to a caller purporting to be from a water company.

"The offender, believed to be in his 50s, kept the victim busy in the kitchen whilst another person entered the house and stole a four-figure sum of cash.

"The second incident occurred at approximately 4.45pm on Dickens Lane in Poynton. The victim, an 86-year-old woman, was again kept busy by a caller purporting to be from a water company, whilst another individual searched her property stealing a three figure sum of cash. The offender seen by the victim was believed to be in his 30s."

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incidents, anyone who saw an offender matching the e-fit, left, or anyone who saw suspicious behaviour in the areas on July 18, about 4.30pm.

- Contact PC Alan Davies at Macclesfield police station on 01244 613436, or you can ring anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline, 0800 555 111.