Callous thieves struck twice on Friday in Luton, stealing more than £250 from two unwitting pensioners.

This week Beds Police has issued an appeal for information about the two separate thefts, which happened on buses near the town centre.

In both cases, the elderly victims were pushed aside as they boarded by someone claiming to have got on the wrong bus.

Their wallets were then taken by another man standing behind them.

The first theft happened shortly after 11am in Silver Street, when a 76-year-old man had a wallet containing £100 stolen.

He was not injured, but left very shaken by what had happened.

At 2pm the same day an 84-year-old man had his wallet taken from his back trouser pocket after he climbed onto a bus in Park Square.

This time wallet contained more than £150 pension money.

In the first case the man who pushed the pensioner aside is described as white, aged about 60, 5ft7ins tall, of medium build. He had short greying hair and was wearing a donkey jacket.

His accomplice was also white, but younger.

The man who stole the wallet in the second attack is described as olive skinned, in his 30s, 6ft1ins tall with short fair hair.

He was wearing a thin grey jacket.

Anyone with information has been urged to contact Luton police on 01582 401212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111