Terrified pensioner Fred Rhodes today told how he feared raiders would beat him with a hammer as they smashed into his barricaded bedroom three times in a week.

The 86-year-old was raided while he slept alone in his Shipley home - while his wife Monica recovered from a stroke in St Luke's Hospital, Bradford.

Mr Rhodes even had to suffer the indignity of the young thieves rifling through his trouser pockets for money and keys.

The burglaries were among five he has suffered this year alone and 10 he has been forced to endure while living in his cottage.

Today he condemned the attackers as "the lowest of the low", which was echoed by police who described the attacks as "despicable".

"These people are scum bags," Mr Rhodes said. "I would never dream of doing anything so callous even if I was desperate."

Mr Rhodes has been too afraid to tell his poorly wife about the string of raids fearing she would suffer a relapse.

"I couldn't tell Monica what has been happening because it would upset her and she has enough to cope with at the minute. I don't know what it would do to her. She is my main concern and my main worry at the minute."

During the first attack the keys to Mr Rhodes' cottage were stolen from his trouser pocket while he slept.

He said: "I went to pick up my trousers in the morning from the side of the bed and they had gone. I wondered if I'd been sleep walking in the night and was really confused. I couldn't believe it when I found them downstairs in front of the fire. Someone had been into my bedroom while I was sleeping and I didn't know anything about it."

A front window had been smashed to gain entry and around £100, saved to pay a water bill, was taken.

Mr Rhodes, who has no children, was so concerned with previous break-ins he had fitted a bolt to the bedroom door and made sure all chains and bolts on the front door were secure before going to bed.

But it didn't deter the thieves who forced open the bedroom door, shattering the bolt.

"I remember looking up and seeing a young lad aged between 17 and 20 looking into the room. I looked him straight in the eye and when he saw me he scarpered. I shouted at him to leave my house and he told me not to get up otherwise he'd hurt me. I realised he'd taken a claw hammer of mine and he probably would have hit me with it."

The intruder had used Mr Rhodes' own key to open the front door to ensure a quick exit.

Around £170 was taken during the three break-ins along with the hammer.

During the 45 years the couple have lived in the house, Mr Rhodes has been burgled ten times.

Detective Chief Inspector Allan Doherty, of Eccleshill police, said the raiders were despicable.

"Elderly people are very vulnerable and it is sad that people like this are targeted. We have done everything we can to help by replacing the smashed window and securing all windows and doors.

"We have a number of lines of inquiries and anticipate arrests in the near future but if anyone else has any information they should contact Eccleshill police on (01274) 376059."

Mr Rhodes said he believed it was a sad reflection on society.

"Twenty years ago you could have gone to bed and left the doors and windows open all night. You can't do that now because they get in even when they are shut."

A Help The Aged spokesman denounced the burglaries as "absolutely appalling."

"The one place that you expect to be safe is in your own home and it is terrible that this has happened. We abhor the idea of this man being burgled in his own home."