A 90-year-old Irvine woman had her purse stolen by a bogus caller on Marymass Saturday.

The victim was within her home address on Frew Terrace at about 1pm on Saturday, August 24, when a man attended at her door and convinced the householder to allow him entry.

At this time her purse containing a quantity of cash and bank cards was stolen.

PC Johnson, Preventions and Interventions Officer for North Ayrshire said: “This man targeted an elderly vulnerable woman who was alone within her home. It was a horrendous experience for the householder however luckily she was physically unharmed in the incident.

"It is possible that the man may have attended at other nearby addresses within Irvine on the same day.

"If someone attended at your door recently that you were unsure of, or if an elderly relative has informed you of a similar incident please contact us.”

The male is described as white, late 40s, with a beard, he was wearing a blue t-shirt and blue shorts.

Police request that anyone who may have seen this man, or has any information to please contact 101 quoting incident number 3415 of the 24th of August