Police are hunting a fat woman and her thin accomplice who wept at their mum's death before trying to rob a nurse.

The crafty thieves struck at the roadside in Ashford at around 3pm on Saturday.

A 35-year-old nurse was walking along Church Road when a car stopped and two women got out.

Both then burst into tears and told the woman that their mother had died.

The thieves then started putting gold necklaces around her neck and told her she should keep them.

The nurse told the pair she didn't want them and took them off - but realised her own 22ct gold necklace was missing.

She told them she was going to call the police at which point the pair threw the necklaces along with a bracelet and a ring at her and drove off.

Sergeant Alice Parton said: "This is quite a unique distraction technique and could be quite intimidating for an older or vulnerable person.

"I would like to speak to anyone who has information about this incident or the two women involved."

Both were of Asian or Middle Eastern appearance, around 35 to 40-years-old and spoke poor English.

One is described as 5ft tall and thin, the second is 5ft 5in and fat.

Both were dressed in black and were wearing black headscarves.

Anyone with information should contact police on 01622 690 690 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.