AN 80-year-old who woke up to find thieves trying to break into her home says she is now too terrified to go out.

The former shop worker, who lives in Park South, is having trouble sleeping and she is scared the thugs will return.

But she has thanked Swindon police for their help and support in helping her through the ordeal.

The incident happened last Thursday.

"It has really upset me," she said.

"I'm frightened to be in the house on my own but I'm frightened to go out too."

The pensioner, who is too scared to be named, was woken up just before midnight by a noise coming from her back garden.

"I peeped out of the curtains and I could see two men trying to get in my back door," she said.

"I quickly called the police and my window was open a little bit and I think they heard me because they ran off."

The pensioner has had CCTV cameras installed to protect her home since the foiled break-in. But the added security has done little to reassure her.

"I'm still scared," she said.

"I'm frightened when someone knocks on the door. I can't sleep anymore and when I do I keep waking up.

"I've only been out once since it happened and that was with my friend."

Police say the men had tried to break in through the back door using a screwdriver.

And while the pair escaped after jumping over a 6ft garden wall, the victim has praised the action of the authorities.

"The police have been ever so good to me," she said. "When I first dialled 999 they kept talking to me because I was a wreck. They have been wonderful with me.

"They keep coming round to check on me and I really want to thank them from the bottom of my heart."

Anyone with information on the attempted burglary should call Swindon police on 0845 408 7000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.