A con man who tricked his way into a pensioner's home six weeks ago may have been responsible for more burglaries over the weekend.

In February a man posing as a worker from the water board cheated his way into the home of an elderly lady in Hove and stole £800.

Last Friday 88-year-old Mary Goodey from Uckfield fought back two attackers who said they were from the police and stole £60.

On Saturday two men, again posing as workers from the water board, deceived 91-year-old Doris Wilson into letting them into her home in Kemp Town and took £300.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said they were investigating whether there was a link between the three burglaries.

She said: "We do tend to get these types of crimes in spates. Each time one happens it is very distressing for the victim. It is a really cowardly crime."

She said the intelligence unit at Brighton and Hove was liaising with the East Downs division to look for links and similarities.

Mrs Goodey was left badly bruised after two men let themselves into her flat and grabbed her when she asked them to leave.

She said: "One of the men said he was from the police and had come round to see if I was all right. He showed me this silly little card and thought it would convince me.

"You should be able to feel safe in your own home but I don't at the moment. I am going to try to forget about this and get back to normal as quickly as possible."

Mrs Wilson, the latest victim of these crimes, said she was determined not to feel afraid in her own home.

Mrs Wilson, who uses a stick to help her walk, let a man into her flat after he claimed he was from the water board and needed to check for a leak.

She said: "I just didn't think and let him in. I had an inkling something might be something a bit fishy about it."

It was only later Mrs Wilson realised the money had been taken.

She said: "I feel like I can't trust anybody. It's a rotten feeling."

She said her son and daughter-in-law, John and Vera Wilson, wanted her to stay at their home in St Leonards after the attack but she refused.

Mrs Wilson said: "You have to get your confidence back. I won't let this make me afraid."

Widowed Mrs Wilson was burgled in the same flat about eight years ago when thieves stole all her jewellery, including many sentimental items such as her husband's wedding rings.

Her daughter-in-law Vera said: "Elderly people are so trusting. It makes me so angry. I want to warn other people about these animals."

The police spokeswoman said homeowners should check callers' identification and phone the company if they were not convinced. She advised them not to keep large sums of money in the house and to keep to the slogan "If in doubt, keep it out".

The con man in Hove was described as white, aged 35 to 45, 5ft 9 in, slim build, with short possibly brown hair and a long, clean-shaven face. He was smartly dressed, wearing a dark suit and spoke with a southern accent.

In Uckfield, the attackers were white, wearing casual clothes and in their mid to late 20s.

In Kemp Town both men were white, one about 19, small build, short mousey-brown hair, wearing a blue top.

He spoke with a Scottish accent. The second man was in his late 20s, tubby with short fair hair, possibly wearing a grey top.

Anyone with any information can contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or call the free and confidential Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.