A PENSIONER bravely fought off two men who tried to force their way into her St Albans home last Thursday.

The courageous 79-year-old woman thwarted would-be burglars who tried to force their way into her Verulam Road home at about 3pm by blocking the front door.

The men hammered on the door and tried to force it open, but the woman managed to push it shut.

The two men, who are both described as white, in their early 20's, about 5ft 7in tall and of slim build, then fled.

The woman, who has been praised for her bravery by St Albans police, was originally told by the men there was a problem with the main water pipe and that they needed to get in to repair it. But the pensioner refused to let them in.

One man was said to have been wearing a navy blue T-shirt with white lettering on the front, while the other had short ginger hair.

A police spokesman said: 'The woman was very brave and kept her cool and was very determined to see the men off.'

He said she did the right thing refusing to let them in and warned people to be on their guard.

'She done the right thing by not letting them in and we would urge people to be on their guard against would-be burglars who try to con their way into people's homes.'