THE distraught son of a pensioner who died after hearing intruders outside her home believes the shock killed her.

Ivy Aston, 85, (pictured) died on Saturday night after calling a neighbour to say she thought somebody was trying to get into her house in Cwrdy Walk, Griffithstown.

The neighbour chased off two people but found her lying on the floor of her kitchen with the telephone in her hand. She was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Yesterday her son David Aston, also of Griffithstown, said: "Mam had a problem with her heart but without that shock and that trauma she would still be with us."

He believes she was about to call him when she collapsed. A post mortem examination revealed that Mrs Aston died from natural causes, but police are keen to trace the would-be intruders.

Detective Inspector Paul Evans said: "If it wasn't for the incident on Saturday night we might not be in the position we are today."

Mrs Aston did have some problems with youths pelting her house with eggs and flour a few days before her death but police are not connecting this incident to Saturday night.

Her son said: "It is quite a little neighbourhood, all the neighbours know each other and the houses were self built and most people had lived there for 32 or 34 years. "They are all shocked and worried about what they have to do to protect themselves."

He added: "For an 85-year-old she was smart, intelligent, still fairly attractive and very astute.

"She liked nothing more than playing with her grandchildren and enjoyed going to keep fit and she loved meeting people."

Mr Aston last saw his mother just hours before the attack when she was collecting seed in the garden for her great-grandchildren.

He described his mother as a vibrant member of the community. She went to the Baptist Church in Griffithstown and used to be a dinner lady at Penygarn Primary School. She also used to work as an auxiliary nurse at the County Hospital in Griffithstown.

The widow had lived in the Pontypool area for most of her life and had two sons, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Panteg councillor Norma Parrish said: "I didn't know the lady but this is a dreadful thing to happen and I'm absolutely appalled.

"I'd like to give my condolences to her family and friends.

"It's important that the elderly have secure locks on their windows and doors, and we must make sure that the areas where they live are adequately policed."

Anyone with any information should call Cwmbran CID on 01633 642350.