A DOORSTEP conwoman tricked her way into the homes of elderly people in York and stole cash after claiming she needed sponsorship for a marathon.

Police said the woman had so far targeted about eight pensioners - one a 91-year-old - living in the Lindsey Avenue area of Acomb and had taken amounts of cash ranging from £2 to £30 from them.

The woman, who was said to be smartly dressed, polite and well-spoken, told people she was collecting sponsorship for a marathon in York. But police have confirmed that there is no such event.

Chief Inspector Howard Harding, who heads policing at Acomb, said: "This really is an abhorrent crime for someone to take advantage of elderly people in this way. We are warning people to be on their guard."

Residents are advised to always ask callers for identification, use a door chain when answering the door, not to let unknown callers into their homes and never to hand any money over.

The woman was described as white, 5ft 4in tall, aged 18 to 20, with shoulder-length fair hair. She was wearing a beige raincoat.

Some victims have described a woman with dark shoulder-length hair, which officers believe could mean two women are involved in the scam. On Tuesday, the Evening Press told how Emily Blackwell, a bedridden 90-year-old, became the victim of a similar con when a woman called at her home in Malvern Avenue.

Her niece, Ann Henry, contacted the paper to help to alert other pensioners.

From the similar description, police believe the same woman could be involved.

On that occasion the thief was said to be aged about 18, 5ft 6ins tall, very thin, with mousy brown hair and was wearing a short black and white patterned coat.

The woman had claimed she was from "York Technical College" and was raising sponsorship for a cycle ride for charity.

The pensioner handed over £5, but the woman also stole her purse, which contained £30, without her noticing.

Anyone with any information on these deceptions should call police in Acomb via 631321.

Updated: 12:56 Saturday, December 01, 2001