A plucky pensioner forced two intruders to flee from her home after her pet poodle raised the alarm.

Brave Ivy Scales discovered the burglars after her dog Muttley barked out a warning while she was on the telephone. She confronted one crook face-to-face in her own living room.

"I said 'What the hell do you think you are doing?' and he jumped with surprise and ran," said the courageous 77-year-old supergran.

"The other one was in the kitchen. He ran as soon as he heard my voice."

Mrs Scales said she would have had a swipe at the burglars if they had not turned and run.

"I did not think about what I was doing at the time," she admitted. "If he had turned on me I would have lashed out with my stick."

The drama happened when Ivy was alone at home in Bradwell, near Braintree. Despite suffering from brittle bone disease and being less than 5ft tall she stood up to the villains, who managed to escape with £70.

One of the intruders was described as being in his 30s with brown hair and a moustache. He wore a brown jacket.

Anyone with information should contact DC Simon Pateman at Braintree police on 01376 551312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Brave Ivy Scales with hero pooch Muttley

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