AN ELDERLY widow who kept her late husband's wallet by her side as a cherished reminder has been targeted by conmen who tricked their way into her Southampton flat.

The frail 85-year-old, who uses a walking frame, had kept the wallet topped up with money as a treasured keepsake since her husband's death around five years ago.

Police said she had borrowed cash out of it from time to time but had always replaced it, keeping the money at just the amount that was in it when her husband passed away.

But now the £40 has been stolen in a cruel scam carried out by three burglars.

Detectives said the pensioner had answered the door of her warden-assisted flat after someone buzzed the intercom

system claiming to have a parcel for her.

A young woman on the doorstep then claimed there had been a mistake and the package had been for a neighbour, before engaging the widow in conversation about pension payments.

The conwoman then managed to trick her way into the flat in Graham Street, Northam, by asking to check the taps.

The victim became concerned after she heard noises while the woman was with her in the kitchen and turned around to see a man coming out of her bedroom.

Meanwhile a second man was rummaging around the living room.

Detectives said all three intruders fled when the pensioner began screaming.

Once they had gone, the victim discovered money missing from her husband's wallet, which she kept by the side of her chair in the living room.

PC Tim Plummer, of Shirley CID, said: "This was a despicable and particularly cowardly offence committed against a vulnerable elderly person who has been left badly shaken.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen these three individuals in the area or may have had similar calls from people fitting their descriptions."

The conwoman was white, in her late teens, slim, with fair or blonde hair, wearing jeans and a dirty grey jumper which may have had red and black markings.

Her male accomplices were white and in their early 20s.

One had short brown hair, a thin face and wore a dark brown pullover. The second was slightly taller.

Any information to Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.