Conmen posing as council maintenance workers have stolen cash from pensioners in Oxfordshire.

Two men claiming to be fixing sewage pipes went to a house in Marston Road, in Oxford, at 5.45pm yesterday.

They told the 90-year-old woman resident to gather her money together and keep it in a safe place as some other workmen could not be trusted.

The men then stole £600 in cash, and left.

On the same afternoon a man with the same excuse called at the home of an 87-year-old woman in Church Lane, Witney.

She went to meet him at the back of the house to inspect the drain, while he stole £60 from her purse and fled.

Police are linking the two burglaries with a similar incident in Reading, yesterday.

The thief was described as white, approximately 5ft 9ins tall with short, brown hair and a clean-shaven face.

He was said to be chubby, but healthy looking, and was wearing casual clothing.

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.