THIEVES stole a 90-year-old former miner's compensation and life savings as he slept - a sum set aside to buy a motorised scooter to give himself more independence.

Reginald Boyland, who is partially deaf and suffers with severe arthritis, said he was terrified when he woke up to find a man in his flat, stealing £3,400 in cash in the middle of the day.

The incident happened last Thursday at noon. Mr Boyland had been counting his cash, both life savings and compensation for his chest complaint and deafness from working in Tirpentwys colliery, when he dozed off with the door to his flat at Plas Craig, Northville, Cwmbran, left open.

As Mr Boyland slept, someone entered his flat and took two envelopes and his wallet from beside his bed, containing a total of £3,400 in cash.

He said: "I woke up and saw a hand over me and I didn't know who it was. When I realised what was happening I was very frightened.

"You would never believe that anybody could just walk into your home and do something like that. When I realised all my money had gone I was very upset. I was a bag of nerves."

Mr Boyland followed the man and shouted at him, but he ran away. Just at that moment Mr Boyland's daughter, Kay Lawrence, 57, from Pontypool, arrived to find her father standing outside his flat, shaking. She said: "He was beside himself with fear and very upset. He didn't want to go back into the flat."

Mr Boyland has lived alone for more than 40 years since his divorce. Following the incident he has seen a doctor about his nerves, and has been unable to eat properly.

He said: "It will take a bit of getting over, this will. I don't feel safe any more, and I will keep all my doors and windows locked, even in the summer.

"I have difficulty getting around and wanted to make it easier for me to go to town and the club. Now I will have to struggle to save a few pounds for my scooter, but it's going to be difficult with just my pension."

Detective Constable Stuart Summers, of Cwmbran CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty and cowardly incident involving one of the most vulnerable members of society. He was saving up for his dream of a motorised scooter to get around, and now that is gone. We urge anyone with information to come forward."

Anyone wih information is asked to call Cwmbran police on 01633 838999.