HOUSHOLDERS in Pendle were today urged to lock themselves in after a heartless thief barged into the living room of a 95-year-old pensioner and made off with her handbag and £300.

Police issued the warning after the woman, who has not been named, was tricked at approximately 1.30pm on Thursday.

A man walked through the unlocked front door of her home in Albert Street, Brierfield.

The police said that the man told the woman he had seen a youth in the house and asked her to give him her money to make sure it was safe.

She handed over £300, her pension book and purse and the man left.

The woman was not injured but she was left feeling shocked about the incident.

A day earlier a black flat case, 80 CDs and five DVDs worth £1,000 altogether were stolen from a house in Meredith Street, Nelson, after thieves again walked in through an unlocked door.

The property was stolen between 7pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday.

Two teenagers were seen earlier looking through the window.

They were described as white, between 12 and 14 years old, scruffy-looking with pushbikes.

DC Ruth Chew said: "We have had a few of these types of crimes recently and I want to warn people, especially elderly people, to make sure their doors are locked to stop people just walking straight in to their houses.

"They should not allow anyone in to their homes who they don't know and they should always check the identity of any person purporting to be on official business. Anyone who is genuine will not mind showing their identity cards"

Anyone with information about either incidents should ring Nelson CID on 01282 472644.