A PARTIALLY-sighted pensioner had £150 stolen when she was duped by bogus workmen at her Eastleigh home.

Edith Lidstone discovered the money was missing moments after the two men conned their way into her bungalow.

The thieves called at the 85-year-old widow's home in the Allbrook area shortly after 1pm yesterday.

One man, aged in his early 20s, knocked at the front door pretending he wanted to build an extension opposite her home and needed to take measurements from her garden.

The pensioner said: "I led him through the living room to the

garden and he was very chatty. He was asking me about my fish pond and how many fish I had."

She told of how a second man, aged about 18, entered her home and asked for a glass of water.

While he was distracting the grandmother-of-two in her kitchen, his accomplice searched her bedroom and living room before stealing the money from her handbag.

Police yesterday carried out house-to-house inquiries to find out if anyone saw the pair, who are believed to be brothers, and are carrying out forensic tests at the house.

Mrs Lidstone said: "I am mad at them but I think I am more mad at myself for letting them in.

"I feel a fool for letting them in but they were so plausible. When it happens it's easy to forget about all the warnings."

The incident is the latest in a series of distraction burglaries which the Daily Echo has highlighted since launching the On Your Guard campaign last month.

The campaign, which is backed by Hampshire police, pensioners' charity Age Concern and Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, aims to cut crime against elderly people by highlighting how they can protect themselves.

Anyone with information about the burglary in Allbrook can contact Eastleigh police on 0845 045 4545.