CALLOUS conmen tricked their way into a 76-year-old woman's home.

The pensioner, who lives in Henderson Close, Trowbridge, was fooled by a man posing as a council official wanting to check the water supply, because Wessex Water was carrying out work in the neighbourhood and had already posted leaflets through residents' doors.

Nothing was stolen in the burglary attempt. During one man, who tricked his way into the kitchen by producing a fake ID card, ran a cold water tap and tried to encourage the pensioner to help him search for the stop tap, which she refused to do.

As well as running the tap, the conman hummed, as if to cover up noises being made by his partner in crime, who was in another part of the house. The victim became suspicious when she saw a second man walking down a path leading from her front door.

When she questioned the bogus council worker, he replied, "Oh, that's my boss".

Sgt Debbie Ellender, of Trowbridge police, said: "This is a classic example of the despicable lengths that these offenders will go to gain access to the homes of elderly householders.

"This lady did exactly what we recommend by asking for identification and putting on the security chain to her door, but these men were able to con their way in."

Police are appealing to residents living in Henderson Close to come forward if they saw the two men in the neighbourhood around 3.40pm on Monday April 10.

The man who entered the victim's home is described as white, 5ft 7ins, with a stocky build and aged about 35 to 40 years old.

He had thick, black wavy hair, which was in a short style and swept to one side, with dark stubble on his face.

He was wearing a beige or fawn round-necked pullover under a thin nylon long-sleeved jacket. He did not have a local accent and was wearing a watch on his left wrist. The man spotted leaving the house is described as white, with a slim build. He was wearing a beige or fawn flat cap, a blue/green suit jacket and beige or fawn cord trousers.

Call Sgt Ellender on 0845 4087000 with any information about this crime.