POLICE are appealing for information after a man let himself into the home of an elderly woman in Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

When challenged, the man claimed he was a facia board salesman before leaving. Nothing was taken.

The incident in the Middleham Road area of the town was reported to North Yorkshire Police at about 11am on Tuesday.

Door to door enquiries were conducted later that day.

The man is described as tall, slim with short, dark, cropped spikey hair, aged 20 to 30, and possibly Eastern European or Asian.

He was wearing coloured trousers and a dark jacket.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We advise anyone who is cold called by someone they are not expecting, to not the answer the door, or at least make them wait outside while you check their credentials. A genuine caller will be prepared to wait and will not get impatient or aggressive if you refuse to open the door or make them wait.

"Please also report any suspicious activity or vehicles in your neighbourhood to the police by calling the non-emergency number 101. Please don't think you are wasting time, every piece of information can help the police to build up a picture of suspects."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting NYP061020150152.