A man who barged his way into a pensioner's home in Penhill, claiming to be from Social Services, stole a purse containing £35.

The man, who was 5ft 2in, white and of stocky build, called at the woman's home in Burbage Road, at 5.30pm on Tuesday.

He told the woman to sit in a chair while he searched a sideboard. The pensioner managed to escape while the intruder's back was turned, and called a neighbour for help but the man got away.

The pensioner was shaken but otherwise unharmed.