A pensioner was left shocked and shaken after a burglar jumped through a living room window.

The 85-year-old, who does not want to be named, heard someone “bashing” on her front door.

As she went to check, she saw a man scrambling through a rear window.

The pensioner, who lives in a warden-controlled flat in St Gabriels Court, Pitsea, said he told her he was being chased and, believing she was helping him, she let him out of the front door.

Police believe one crook had knocked on the door, while his accomplice came through the window.

The woman didn’t realise until the next morning that the intruder had stolen her purse, containing £17, her bank cards and bus pass.

She said: “I had just changed into my dressing gown, as I was going to have a shower.

“Someone was bashing my front door. It was very loud.

“I pulled the curtain back and couldn’t see anybody. The next second I heard a noise and turned round and saw someone coming through my window. It was frightening.

“I was so shocked I didn’t say anything. When someone does that to you, you are transfixed.

“He said ‘there’s a man out there’ and I said ‘you better go out this way’ and let him out.

“I just wasn’t thinking. I couldn’t think straight.”

The next day, as she prepared to go shopping, she noticed her purse was missing.

She said the man was about 5ft tall, with dark hair. She urged other people to be careful about answering the door to strangers and to always make sure their windows are shut.

A police spokesman said: “ The burglar happened at about 9pm on July 26. One suspect banged on the front door and the victim answered. While she was at the door, a second suspect jumped through a rear window and stole her purse.’’