PENSIONERS are being warned to protect themselves financially from burglars.

With 1,434 homes in the borough broken into last year, Age Concern Bury say people over the age of 65 are significantly at risk, particularly those who spend the summer months on extended holidays abroad.

Alan Brown, from Age Concern Bury, said: "Generally, risk of burglary decreases with age, but government figures show that people over the age of 65 are still significantly at risk of burglary. Older people are often more susceptible to the emotional stress as well as the financial loss caused by theft.

"A good home insurance policy is a pre-requisite for protecting against the financial problems that burglary can bring, but it is not a substitute for basic security measures like fitting alarms, deadlocks on doors and high-quality window locks. Government figures show that households with no security measures are almost ten times more likely to be victims of burglary."

"If you're leaving the house empty, as many people will be this summer, fit automatic timers to your lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home. Remember to cancel milk and newspapers if you have them delivered and perhaps ask a friend or family member to remove mail from view - piles of unopened post is a sure sign that the house is empty."

In around 20 per cent of burglaries no force was used to enter the home. Leaving windows and doors open or unlocked when going on holiday or in the heat of the summer, not only acts as an invitation for opportunist burglars, but could also invalidate home insurance policies.

Mr Brown added: "If you install and declare an alarm to your insurer, it could become a condition of your cover that you use it - even if you're just leaving the house for a few minutes. If you don't set the alarm, any claims you have to make may be reduced or even worse, rejected."

l-Profits generated by Age Concern Insurance Services go directly to local and national Age Concern charities. For details, Age Concern Bury on (0161) 763 9030.