A PENSIONER has condemned the conmen who have destroyed her confidence by tricking their way into her house.

The 64 year-old woman, of Beech Road, Hale, suffers from nightmares and has had to be put on medication after the two men, posing as gas officials, ran into her home last Monday afternoon.

They escaped after taking a peg bag, mistaking it for her handbag. But, although they took nothing valuable, the pensioner, who does not want to be named, says the raid has left her a "bag of nerves".

She wants to make sure that other elderly people do not suffer the same fate. She said: "I put the chain on the door but they said they were from the gas board and they looked genuine, so I took the chain off.

"One of the men put his foot in the door and then went into the front room and knocked things everywhere.

"He then shouted to the other man, and he ran through to the kitchen. He grabbed a peg bag and they ran off.

"Old people should be on their guard. They were so convincing - they were immaculately dressed and they had a big book like proper gas officials have.

"The other night I woke up screaming. It's horrible. They must have mothers of their own - I don't know how they can do something like this."

One of the men is described as having dark hair. The other had red hair. Anyone with information about this crime should call Altrincham CID on 856 7550.