AN 80-year-old woman foiled a burglary by two conmen she found in her back garden.

The men told her they were working on a neighbour's washing machine and needed to turn off her water supply.

But the woman refused to let them into her home.

Inspector Mark Levitt, of Wootton Bassett police, said: "From their actions we believe they were going to distract her, sneak into the house, and steal items from inside.

"Fortunately they didn't get into her home because she was switched on enough to realise it was a scam."

The men are described as white, with Irish accents, and in their mid 20s.

One was wearing a dark top and jeans. The other wore a suit jacket.

Two men fitting the description were spotted later on the town's CCTV cameras.

A police helicopter was scrambled and the men were stopped by police, but it turned out that they had no connection to the offence and they were eliminated from enquiries.

Wootton Bassett police are appealing for anybody with any information about the incident to contact them.

Insp Levitt said: "We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of anything similar."

He said the woman may not have been the only local victim.

"These men may have been responsible for a similar event in Calne on the same day," he said.

In February the Evening Advertiser reported two similar incidents in the Wroughton area.

In January there were three distraction burglaries in one day, in the Swindon and Highworth areas.

At the time a police spokeswoman would not rule out the possibility that the Swindon area was being targeted by a criminal gang carrying out distraction burglaries. In all of these cases the offenders claimed to be working either for gas or water companies.

Sgt Andy Fortune, of the town's police, said: "What's good about this is that the message has got out to the older community.

"She was aware that these types of offences occur, and instead of being taken in, she was clearly aware of what these men were up to.

"Because of her refusal to speak to them, they went away.

"We need to do a lot more to deal with this type of crime, but it seems that people are beginning to learn."

Anyone with information should contact Wootton Bassett police on 01793 852213 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Dave Andrew