Police are investigating after an elderly woman in her 80s had her purse stolen from her home during a distraction burglary in Whitstable.

The woman, 85, was distracted when two men visited her bungalow in Meteor Avenue on Friday, June 12.

One man offered to fix her fence and then asked to use her toilet before leaving.

When they left the bungalow, the woman found her purse - containing £40 in cash and a bus pass - had been stolen.

Investigating officer PC Neil Moore said: "After one of the men offered to fix her fence he asked if he could use the toilet. When he’d gone she realised her purse was missing."

The same morning, two men offered to clean the guttering of another house in Meteor Avenue. One asked to use the toilet but the occupant escorted him there and back and nothing was stolen.

PC Moore added: "One of the men is described as aged between 25 and 30 with blond hair and was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

"The second was about 5ft 6ins tall and of a larger build. He was wearing jeans, a navy blue T-shirt and black pump-style shoes."

They were later seen with a third man. He is described as being older and was wearing a cream jacket and trousers.

Police believe the men may have been using a white Vauxhall Combo van with either an 02 or an 05 registration plate.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference numberZY/17894/15. Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.