AN 88-year-old had her wedding ring stolen from her finger by two burglars.

At around 2pm last Saturday the elderly woman, who lives on Upper Tooting Road, Wandsworth, answered the door to two men claiming to gardeners.

The two men then forced their way into her south London home pushing the victim against the wall before ransacking the house.

The two men followed the victim into the lounge. One then pushed the victim onto a chair and pulled her wedding ring off her finger.

The attackers pulled the phone cord out of the wall and left. The victim's carer arrived at 6pm and called the police.

Officers believe the same two men were responsible for a similar distraction burglary earlier that day in Belleville Road, Battersea. The burglars had knocked on the door of an 88-year-old woman and than forced their way into her house.

Officers are warning elderly or vulnerable people in the area not to answer the door to unexpected callers.

Detective Constable Tim Pay, the investigating officer, said: "This form of violence is unusual for distraction burglaries and we are now advising people not to open their door to anyone unexpected. Keep your door locked and stay safe. I ask for neighbours and relatives to look out for the elderly and vulnerable this Christmas.

"These were despicable acts on elderly women with one losing her treasured wedding ring. There are two men out there who we need to stop and we need your help."

The two men are described as black, in their twenties and between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall. One had short black curly hair.

If you have any information call Wandsworth Priortiy Crime Unit on 020 8247 8871 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.