An 89-year-old Shropshire woman, who had her savings stolen by bogus water officials, today warned others to turn away strangers.

Jessie Beeston was targeted by distraction burglars at her Albrighton home. Two men posing as water workers conned their way into her house.

The victim was saving for a birthday party for her son and was left distraught after discovering she had been burgled.

Today Mrs Beeston was handed a cheque for £235 from the Police Community Fund, which makes small donations to the most deserving of cases, to replace her stolen savings.

Mrs Beeston, who was widowed four years ago, said: “I’m very pleased and its very nice for the police to do this for me. It has restored my faith in human nature and my son’s birthday party will be going ahead as planned.”

Mrs Beeston has vowed never to let anyone into her house again and she urged people not to be as “silly” as her and not to let anyone into their house without official identification.

Her granddaughter Lesley Ellsey described the crime as despicable.

Constable Jason Whelan said: “Some of the money was going towards a birthday party for her son’s 65th birthday and she was very upset, blaming herself for allowing the men into her home.

“Fortunately this kind of crime is fairly rare in Shropshire but people need to be aware especially the elderly and more vulnerable.”