A great grandmother had her birthday and mother’s day money stolen when a conwoman posed as a nurse and tricked her way into their home.

Patricia Davies, of Carshalton, also had medication and a treasured locket given to her by her family stolen along with the £200 when the intruder called on Monday evening.

Mrs Davies, 77, was expecting a nurse to arrive to treat her husband James, 76, when the woman knocked on their door at 8.15pm, claiming the regular nurse had sent her because she had been “held up”.

As Mr Davies went to make her a cup of tea and Mrs Davies fetched a tissue the woman said she had to get a book from her car.

It was only later the couple discovered Mrs Davies’ handbag had been stolen.

Mr Davies said: “It was quite a shock, we can’t replace that locket, it was sentimental value.

“She was very confident, claiming our regular nurse couldn’t make it. She was complaining of being cold so I went to make her a cup of tea, and then when my wife turned round to get a tissue, she stole her handbag.”

Daughter Loraine Spicknell, 53, a housewife from Sutton, called the theft “callous”.

She said: “It was a cruel thing to pick on vulnerable couple. The locket was of real sentimental value to my mother and she had a little cry that night.

“They are both in shock and now quite angry. They blame themselves, but they were tricked.”

A police spokesman said: “The suspect is described as slim, about 25 years old with mousey hair tied in a long ponytail.

“She was wearing a grey jacket, washed out blue jeans, grey knitted gloves and dirty trainers. She is described as speaking with a common accent.”

Anyone with information should call: Sutton CID on 020 8649 0747, quoting reference number 4003044/10, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.