AN 80-year-old man from Chickerell was taken to hospital after he was targeted in a distraction burglary.

Police said the victim was asleep at his Meadow Close home when he woke to find two men inside the property.

Police said the men claimed to be replacing an electric meter and then left the house.

The victim discovered the men had been upstairs and taken around £200 in cash.

Police were contacted and officers arrived to search the area.

When officers spoke to the homeowner they found he was clearly distressed by the incident.

He complained of back pain and had to be taken to Dorset County Hospital suffering from high blood pressure.

The two men, who appeared to have entered from the rear of the premises, were both described as white and between 25 and 30 years old.

One was said to be around 5ft 9ins, of stocky build, with short brown hair and a round face. He was wearing a grey cap, grey jacket and trousers. The other man was described as being of slim build, possibly with short ginger hair.

A police spokesman said: "Obviously he has been targeted because he is elderly and one of the more vulnerable members of our community.

"We are keen to hear from anybody who saw men matching the descriptions or if they knocked on someone else's door."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 01305 222222.