A World War II hero was duped out of £100 by burglars pretending to be police officers.

Private Johnny Johnson, 89, survived the D-Day landings and was part of Operation Varsity, the biggest airborne operation in history in which more than 1,100 soldiers lost their lives.

When the infantryman opened his door to three men at 8.15pm on February 15, he became the victim of a cunning distraction burglary.

The men said they had arrested two youngsters who claimed to have been in Pte Johnson’s flat.

They flashed badges with the word “police” on and Mr Johnson let them inside his home to talk.

After the men made a swift exit, Pte Johnson realised they had stolen his money.

He grabbed his walking stick and ran outside in his dressing gown to see if he could catch them, but he was too late.

A neighbour called the police and an ambulance arrived after concerns were raised about Pte Johnson.

He said: "I’m afraid if he ever knocked at the door again – I should look first to make sure.

"They weren’t nasty to me, they were very clever.

"It did shake me up at the time but of course I’m over it now – I’ve got so many good friends and family – they look after me.

"I’ve only got to pick up that phone and I’ve got friends in the Parachute Regimental Association (PRA) at Croydon who come by me straight away.

"If I want them – they are there for me."

Pte Johnson’s family have now installed a camera which takes a picture of anyone coming through the door.

This is not the first time Pte Johnson, who is hard of hearing, was the victim of a distraction burglary.

Only 18 months previously, he had a similar experience, when the burglars got away with £400.

Every year Pte Johnson goes to Normandy for the anniversary of the D-Day landings to lay a wreath for his fallen comrades.

He visited Reichswald Cemetery in Germany 20 years ago and said it broke his heart to see 127 of his mates all buried in a line.

This experience led to Pte Johnson’s decision to put his uniform and beret on, buy a wreath and put it on the war memorial in Sutton every year.

The ceremony has grown and this year it was attended by mayors of Sutton, Croydon and Kingston.

Stuart Meade, the branch and regional secretary of the PRA, said: “They were scumbags, the lowest of the low, they were snakes.

“[Pte Johnson] is an absolute diamond – he makes me laugh.

“He has a heart of gold.”

All the suspects were white men, aged 30 to 35, wearing dark jackets with hoods up partially covering their faces.

The incident took place at a flat in Beauclere House, Brighton Road, Sutton.

If you have any information that could help police call Sutton police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.