A PENSIONER in her 90s fended off two suspected burglars with her walking stick.

The woman was called to the front door of her home at The Crescent, in Twyford, near Winchester, at around 1pm on Saturday.

Two young men standing outside said they were from the water board and that, owing to engineering works, her drinking water might be poisonous.

The men asked to go in, but the pensioner, who lives alone and has not been named by police, was suspicious and tried shutting the door.

One of the men wedged his foot in the doorway, and the woman hit him with her walking stick, said police. Both men then fled.

A few moments later the woman discovered that her handbag containing reading glasses, was missing from the kitchen.

She later found the bag in her back garden with the glasses still inside.

Police believe that a third man might have entered the house through the back garden while the woman was distracted at the front door.

Officers believe he took the handbag, but discarded it after finding nothing valuable.

Police have issued descriptions of the two men at the front door. Both are white and in their late teens or early 20s.

The man who wedged his foot in the door is around 5ft 6ins, has short dark hair, and wore a waterproof jacket and dark shoes.

The second man is thought to be around 5ft 10ins.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Winchester crimedesk on 0845 045 4545, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.