A defiant 98-year-old war veteran has declared he would not be forced out of his home by a callous burglars.

Ernest Wallace has been left fearing for his safety after burglars forced their way through a window at his detached bungalow and stole a pair of trousers containing his wallet while he slept in bed.

They drew £300 out of the pensioner's account and he believes the burglars have been spying on his home in Gilstead, Bingley, preparing for another break-in.

The burglary alarmed Mr Wallace, who is partially deaf, and his family so much that he applied to move to a self-contained flat at Staveley Court, Keighley.

His family claimed a Bradford Council social worker advised he should move into a nursing home instead of the flat because of the psychological effect of his ordeal. But today Mr Wallace, who served for six years as an RAF medic and flew all over the world caring for the sick, said he would stay put.

During the war he contracted Tuberculosis, which has entitled him to a war pension, and was forced to have a lung removed, which makes breathing difficult.

Mr Wallace said: "I must admit I was distressed by the incident. I was upset about it for a few hours but I've realised it's just one of those things that has happened and I've got to accept that things like this do happen from time to time."

Mr Wallace has lived at the property for 12 years since moving from London where he worked for the post office from the age of 14 until he retired.

Mr Wallace's daughter-in-law Sally Wallace said he would not go to the nursing home and claimed he would not fork out thousands of pounds to buy a private flat out of principle.

Mrs Wallace, 67, said: "The incident has really unnerved him. The man is extremely capable and cooks, cleans and does all his own washing and ironing.

"We went round the other day and it looked like the burglars had been back and had tried to get in again.

"It's so difficult because we can't be up there 24 hours a day.

"The social worker came and interviewed him and told him that the psychological impact meant he would be better in a nursing home. But he can look after himself and loathes the idea of moving into a nursery home."

A police spokesman said no arrests had been made but are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, which happened on June 21, to contact Keighley police on (01535) 617059.

Peter Kay, head of the Council's adult services, said: "The assessment of Mr Wallace's needs is still on-ongoing and a number of care options are now being looked at to help him.

"We will be discussing the situation further with both Mr Wallace and his family so that suitable help can be provided as soon as possible."

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