This is the second time in a year that distraction burglars have targeted the woman and her husband.

The shock was so bad for the pensioner that an ambulance had to be called and she was taken to hospital and kept in overnight.

Her 76-year-old daughter was very concerned for her mother's health and told the Citizen her mother's heart was racing and she was being sick.

She was worried the incident could have sparked a heart attack saying her mother had only just got over the first distraction burglary.

Her 87-year-old step-father opened the door to a man who claimed to be from the water board saying work was going to be done on the drains.

He went into the garden with one of the men to look at the drains while one or possibly two other men slipped into the house and ransacked the bedroom.

They stole jewellery and cash before the pensioner realised something was wrong and called her husband. The men ran off along Deerfield Road and the police were called. The incident happened at about 3pm on Thursday.

The daughter explained after the first raid, the couple had locks fitted to the doors and windows and a peep hole to check on callers. She is urging people not to open their doors to strangers and to always check the identity of callers.

The daughter said the incident left her mother very distressed.

"She is shattered. Her heart was racing so much they couldn't get it down and she was being sick. I was really worried. The last time this happened she couldn't bear to sleep in that bedroom," she said.

Speaking about the culprits, the daughter said: "They've got no conscience. If mum had had a heart attack they wouldn't have bothered. It would be a shock to a young person something like this. I don't know how it is going to affect her in the long run."

The victim is also upset the raiders' haul included her dark-coloured purse which contained a St Christopher and charms of sentimental value.

The culprits are described as white, although one had a tanned complexion. The one who did all the talking was tall, he had brown spikey hair and wore a blue and white hooped top. All three were aged in their 20s.

A police spokesperson said: "It's disgraceful, firstly, that these offenders prey on vulnerable and elderly people. But worse than that, they don't consider the distress they put their victims through. Because their victims tend to be older people, there can be lasting health implications caused by the worry and anxiety they suffer during, and after these crimes. This not only affects the victims, but their families too."