A BOGUS caller kept a 78-year-old woman talking while his accomplice searched her home.

The pair struck at the house in Hyde Road, Kingsdown between 11am and noon yesterday.

PC Steve Hicketts, of Swindon police, said the woman saw a man in her back garden talking on a mobile phone.

A few minutes later the crook was at the front door claiming the neighbour had a leak and he needed to check the victim's water pipes. She let him in and ran the taps in the bathroom.

He stayed in the room but while he was distracting her another man searched the house.

Police say nothing was taken.

The man who called at the door was white, 5ft 8ins tall, slim build with dark hair and dark clothing. He was aged between 20 and 30 years old and had a local accent.

Anyone with information on yesterday's incident should contact PC Steve Hicketts at Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.