Two burglars posed as gas board workers to steal £20,000 in cash from an elderly brother and sister in Crouch End.

The men claimed they needed to inspect the siblings’ boiler as a ruse to get in to Hillrise Mansions in Waltersville Road on Thursday afternoon.

But after being let in, at about 1pm, one man distracted the pair while the other searched their home for cash.

He found the money stored in a box at the bottom of a wardrobe, and the pair left with the entire stash - the victims’ life savings.

“This was a despicable crime carried out against vulnerable elderly siblings who trusted that these men needed to check their boiler,” said Det Const Joe Marston from Islington CID.

“They are devastated and are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.”

Both of the suspects are described as white men, with one being 5ft 6ins tall and wearing a short-sleeved green top and black gloves. The victims were unable to recall further details of the second man.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 101 and ask for Islington CID, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.