AN elderly woman with mobility issues has been targeted by a distraction burglar in Malvern.

The woman, aged 89, was targeted at her home in Pickersleigh Grove on Saturday at around 5pm.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said the woman challenged the man when she found him in her house and he claimed he had been doing some gardening work and also that he was 'from the Gas Board'.

She later discovered that £600 was missing.

A police spokesman said: "It has caused her distress and embarrassment." The case is now being investigated as part of Operation Liberal, a national scheme which looks at patterns of offending across the country especially where criminals are working across borders.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with what is an ongoing investigation.

Those with information can contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident reference 551s of August 18.

The officer in the case is PC 3506 Helen Hawkins.