BURGLARS have fled with the life savings a terminally ill pensioner had set aside to pay for his funeral.

The duo tricked their way into his Bridport home by pretending their car had broken down before stealing his wallet containing £2,000.

Former fisherman Richard Welch cashed in gold and jewellery he had collected over 40 years to set aside for costs after his death from cancer.

Now the 65-year-old has urged other people to be vigilant when strangers knock on the door.

Mr Welch, who lives in Magdalen Lane, said: “I was very angry and have blown my top a few times.

“It is very distressing and I have been very upset.

“I haven’t slept for three days and haven’t been eating.”

“I sold the gold and jewellery I had for 40 years.

“To me it’s a fortune.”

He added that he was going to use the money to pay for his funeral.

The thieves targeted Mr Welch at 5.30pm on December 15. One knocked on the door and said his car had broken down and that they needed water.

A second man then entered the flat and took Mr Welch’s wallet.

Mr Welch said: “I said, what the hell are you doing.

“Then they were gone and the doors were left wide open.

“I shot outside as fast as I could and shouted but they were gone.

“It all happened so quickly.”

Mr Welch has heart problems as well as cancer and is on benefits.

He urged people to be vigilant and not let to strangers in their home.

“If you have got a peephole, look through. If it is someone you don’t recognise, don’t open it,” he said. “Keep the door locked. If you have got a dog to walk, go out while it is still light.

“I won’t get my money back. I expect the people are miles away but I want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to other people.”

Barbara Vousden, who is chairman of trustees at Age Concern Bridport, said: “This is just so, so mean. It is so tragic. These people are so devious and just plain greedy.”

DC Gerald Marchant, of Weymouth CID, said: “I’d like to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident and from anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in the Magdalen Lane area between 5.30pm and 5.35pm on Wednesday, December 15.”

Both men were white, aged 19 or 20, of a large build and dressed in black.

Call Dorset Police on 01305 222222 quoting incident number 15:375 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.