A GRATELEY pensioner was targeted by a man who walked into her home and stole hundreds of pounds in cash at the weekend.

And on the same day a couple in Heath Vale, Andover, were tricked by a bogus workman and had a purse stolen.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the two burglaries, which both occurred on Saturday between 2pm and 2.35pm.

In the first incident, the female resident was lying on her bed reading a book when a man walked in and told her she had been burgled.

He opened a dressing table drawer but the plucky pensioner chased him through the front door with her walking stick. But not before two purses and cash in a plastic bag, together worth £360, had gone missing.

The man is described as white, aged between 25 and 30 with a beard.

He was wearing a blue baseball cap and tracksuit style clothing in a dark colour.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw a man fitting his description on the day in the Grateley area.

It was a smartly-dressed man who attended the second address informing the householders he was from the water board.

He walked into the property and looked in each room. A purse was later found to be missing from a handbag.

That man is described as white, with short dark brown hair, clean shaven and smartly dressed.

Anybody who has had anything similar happen to them is asked to contact the police.

Call 0845 045 45 45 and ask for Andover police station.