TWO 90-year-old patients at the Royal Bolton Hospital were robbed by a bedside thief posing as a relative.

The heartless thief stole cash from the elderly women during visiting hours on two separate wards this week.

He claimed to be a visiting relative and spoke to each of them for around three minutes as the pensioners were in chairs alongside their beds.

Today security at the hospital was increased as hospital chiefs warned their staff to be extra vigilant.

A hospital spokesman said: "We have told ward staff they should be as vigilant as they can be at all times. The vast majority of visitors have a valid reason to be on the wards but clearly there are some people who will exploit this situation."

Detectives believe the same man was responsible for both hospital thefts.

He walked into a ward at 6.50pm on Monday and approached the elderly woman, who had been rushed to hospital two days earlier, as she sitting on a chair beside her bed.

The conman claimed to know her and spoke to her then snatched a quantity of cash she had left out on her bed. He entered a neighbouring ward at 6.15pm on Tuesday and sat on his second victim's bed, saying he was a visiting relative.

He then snatched her purse containing cash and documents.

The women, believed to be from Bolton, have not been named. The alarm was raised after the second incident.

Police say both women were left extremely shocked but unhurt.

Sgt Bill Crittenden, of Bolton Police, said: "This person has preyed on two elderly and vulnerable people who are ill.

"People should not be afraid to challenge anyone they suspect should not be in a certain place. Often saying 'excuse me, can I help you?' is enough to put people off."

A man has been arrested in connection with both incidents and was today helping police with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Liz Hopkinson at the Royal Bolton Hospital on 0161 856 5825.