POLICE have warned about a gang of distraction thieves who stole money from elderly people in two south Shropshire homes on Tuesday afternoon.

In both cases, the thieves pretended to be water company workers.

At Kenney Bank, Ludlow, a man barged past an 81-year-old woman after saying he needed to check her water and took £1,000 from a bedroom. Less than an hour later, a caller at the home of a couple in their 80s in Clee Hill stole about £100 from a cabinet.

Police are looking for two or three men who may have had a white high-sided van. One was aged about 30, 5ft 10ins tall, with fair, brushed-back hair and clean shaven.

He was of slim build and spoke with an Irish accent. He was wearing light coloured trousers and a pale t-shirt.

Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444 888.