Police are searching for two burglars who tricked a 100-year-old woman into letting them in her house and stole money from her.
A man and a woman knocked on the door of the woman's home on Surtees Street, in Darlington, at around 6.30pm on Tuesday claiming their football had gone into her yard.
The victim led the woman through the house while the man waited outside the property, which is near the junction with Hopetown Lane.
When they left the woman realised they had taken £130 in cash.
An investigation is now under way and officers are searching for the suspects.
The female suspect is described as looking young, and had her hair tied back.
Detective Sergeant Jo Godber, from Darlington CID, said: "Burglary is a horrific crime regardless, but to target a 100-year-old woman is simply despicable.
"We are appealing for anyone who has any information that could help our investigation, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time, to come forward."
Anyone who has any information should call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 377 of May 5.
