A Millbrook pensioner has spoken of her shock after being scammed out of money by a woman who said she was pregnant and had been beaten by her boyfriend.

The 74-year-old, who did not want to be named, was left in tears by the woman's tale of woe when she knocked her door asking for cash on Sunday evening.

Having parted with £25 on her doorstep in Irving Road, the grandmother soon realised it was a con.

She said: “It was pouring down with rain and the lady told me she was from Littlehampton.

“She said that she was in Southampton visiting her boyfriend who had beaten her up and left her on the street with no money – It sounded really awful.

“Her story was made worse when she said that she was also pregnant.”

Taking the woman’s word for it, the pensioner quickly offered her to come inside and have a cup of tea.

READ MORE: You can have a KFC for your breakfast in Eastleigh

The 74-year-old continued: “I said I would drop her up the station when she had dried off.

“Strangely, she refused and said she just wanted to get back home to Littlehampton which I could understand.

“I just felt so bad and agreed to give her £20 to fund her trip back home.

“As I was shutting the door she turned and asked if I also had any money for food so I gave her an extra £5.”

The incident happened at around 7.30pm and the woman had dark hair, a tanned complexion and was about 5ft 3ins tall.

A couple of hours after the encounter, the pensioner was woken up by her grandson.

She said: “I could not believe it - he said a woman had been back at the door asking for cash. She was also targeting a number of flats across the road.

“I should have known, but you feel awful for these people and want to believe they are genuine – after a great weekend it ended with me being scammed out of £25.

“People like me in this area haven’t got a lot of money to give so I want to warn others.”

A Hampshire police spokesperson said they were contacted at 10pm about what happened, adding: "We are currently carrying out enquiries in relation to this incident as part of our investigation."