AN ELDERLY woman has been burgled in the latest of a string of thefts from pensioners in Swindon. She is the sixth old person to have been burgled in the past fortnight.

The 82-year-old, who lives on the Pinehurst estate, found a man acting suspiciously in her back garden.

When she questioned him about why he was there, he talked his way into her home and stole £20 in cash and her pension book.

DC Mike Rees of the Swindon Burglary Unit said: "The lady is very badly shaken indeed. This has had a nasty affect on her.

"It isn't just elderly people who have to think about these attacks. I would appeal to younger members of the community to keep an eye on their elderly neighbours."

The burglar is said to be a white male, aged between 27 and 30 with a medium build and short mousy hair. He was clean shaven, about 5ft 4in and wearing a fawn flat cap.