A PENSIONER has told how she is now afraid to go to bed since a spate of burglaries in the area where she lives.

Phyllis Hunt, 83, of St Teilo's Road, Mardy, Abergavenny, said: "Since my neighbour was burgled my nerves have gone to pieces.

"I am not sleeping very well, and at first I was afraid to go to bed so I wouldn't get undressed."

Her neighbour, Irene Pritchard, 76, was horrified when she realised she had gone to bed without discovering that she had had a break-in.

She said: "I was burgled last week while I was out with my two daughters, but I did not notice until the next morning when I found the living room window had been smashed. "I rang the police and they told me to check everything and I discovered all the drawers and cupboards had been searched, even in the bedroom.

"Whoever broke in ripped up a large envelope containing my grandfather's First World War medals, but nothing was taken.

"It really frightened me to think I went to bed and left a broken window. We have had a lot more problems in recent years with burglaries in this area." She said another neighbour also suffered a burglary the same night.

Councillor Jane Foulser has visited the residents and contacted the Gwent Victim Support Scheme about their Bobby Scheme, which enables safety features to be installed at no charge.

Earlier this month the Argus reported how a pensioner who had suffered four heart attacks was terrified when he was confronted by three conmen in his home. Ivor Owens, (pictured) 78, of Dan-y-Coed, Clydach, was home alone when the men forced their way in, saying they were from the water board.

He said: "I have been scared to be here on my own since it happened." It was the second incident in Abergavenny on the same day - Bill Wright, 90, had £135 cash and a pension book stolen after letting three men into his house.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Abergavenny police on 01873 852273.