LORNA MARSH An 87-year-old woman who tried to single-handedly beat off burglars who posed as water board officials had years' worth of savings stolen from her.The money, described as a “significant amount”, had been taken the elderly woman's bedroom after she withdrew it from her bank account to pay for new windows, doors and carpets.

LORNA MARSH

An 87-year-old woman who tried to single-handedly beat off burglars who posed as water board officials had years of savings stolen from her.

The money, described as a "significant amount" was taken from the woman's bedroom after she withdrew it from her bank account to pay for new windows, doors and carpets.

She said last night she thought she "would die" when she realised the money was stolen and now feels unsafe in her own home.

"I'm fine when someone else is with me but when I am on my own every time I go into the room where it was taken it all goes through my mind again," she said.

A man went to the front door of her home in Greenland Avenue, Wymondham on Monday at about 5.42pm asking to check her taps as there was a problem with water pressure in a nearby property.

She closed the door on him but opened the back door to tell him she was not going to let him. However a second man pushed his way through.

The victim, who did not want to be named, said: "I then started clobbering them with my hands and thumping them trying to push them out but I'm 87 and there was only so much I could do."

One of the men grabbed her wrists while his accomplice ransacked the property finding the woman's purse and a pillowcase with the money in it.

Both men are described as white, clean shaven and between 20 and 30.

One wore a black suit, shirt and tie and was between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in, of medium build, with short, slightly curly dark brown hair.

The second was between 5ft 10in and 6ft, slim with a swarthy complexion and short wavy dark brown hair. Both had bogus identification cards.

Anyone who has any information should contact DC Jeremy Simpson at Bethel Street Police Station on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.