AN elderly widow has spoken of her disgust after thieves broke into her home and stole precious keepsakes and jewellery valued at £5,000.

During the terrifying incident on July 4, brave Lilian, 92, whose full name we have withheld, pushed one of the burglars out of her home only to find that she had locked herself in with a second intruder.

Among the items taken was a gold medal her husband, who died in 1960, won for boxing, a Victorian gold sovereign, gold bracelets and chains.

Lilian, of Little Marlow Road, Marlow, said of the burglars: 'They are vindictive to do it to me. They could see how old I was.'

The pensioner, who relies on a walking frame, had left her back door unlocked as she was expecting friends. A man walked in, saying he was a gardener.

She added: 'I thought 'this is all wrong' and asked him to go. I had my frame and got him in the kitchen and told him to leave. He did and I locked the door.'

Lilian pushed him out when he came back a second time, after which the man upstairs also left.

Inspector Martin Bolton, of Marlow Police Station, said: 'Certain individuals continue to prey on the elderly. We find this a thoroughly despicable and callous form of crime.'

The first intruder was described as white and in his twenties.

Anyone with information should call the police on (01628) 816920