A GANG of burglars posed as policemen to raid the home of a Tadley pensioner and his 94-year-old mother.

The men broke in to the house from the back and bundled 71-year-old David Nicholson into his lounge as his mother looked on.

Mr Nicholson, who has lived in the family home in Almswood Road, Tadley, for the past 55 years, told The Gazette that at about 8.30pm, he heard a noise coming from the kitchen.

When he went to investigate, he found a man in the kitchen dressed in black who claimed to be a policeman.

He said that there had been a burglary in Mr Nicholson's home and that he was just checking he was all right.

The thief said that he would check upstairs with Mr Nicholson, but when they went back downstairs there was a second man standing in the kitchen.

Mr Nicholson said that both men had southern Irish accents and when a third man appeared, also wearing all black and with an Irish accent, he became suspicious and asked to see identification.

When they refused, Mr Nicholson told the men that he was going to phone the police.

However, one of the men grabbed him and forced him into the lounge.

Mr Nicholson said: "We were pushing and shoving and I was trying to get away from them but they were holding me by the wrists and my arms.

"We got into the lounge and they forced me to sit down on the settee."

By this time, Mr Nicholson's mother, who is slightly deaf and partially-sighted, came into the lounge and told the men to "get out of my house".

The men then admitted who they really were.

Mr Nicholson said: "The first man that came in said we are burglars, we want money for drugs'."

They left after taking a small amount of cash, and Mr Nicholson said he was relieved neither he nor his mother were hurt.

"My mum was upset by it but, at that age, they have been through two wars and they are a bit tougher than we are now," he said.

"She was probably just completely bamboozled by the whole thing and what had happened around her."

Mr Nicholson added: "I was annoyed that people think they have the right to do this to you."

Police have issued descriptions of three men they are seeking in connection with the incident, which took place on Saturday, November 4.

All are white. Two are aged between 25 and 27, of medium build and have brown hair. One was wearing a black tracksuit and black gloves, and another was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt.

The third man, between 18 and 20 years old, was wearing a black tracksuit and black gloves, and spoke with an Irish accent.

Police believe there was also a fourth man involved.

Detective Sergeant Darren Barrett, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a despicable crime committed against two vulnerable members of our community. I am appealing for anyone who may have any information that may help our inquiries to contact us and help us locate the people responsible.

"These are unusual circumstances. If you are in any doubt about a caller at your door, do not allow them to enter your house.

"If someone comes to your door stating they are a police officer, ask for their name and identification number and call the switchboard on 0845 045 4545 to verify who they are."

Anyone with any information should contact Det Sgt Barrett, in the priority crime unit at Basingstoke police station, on 0845 045 4545, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.