A war hero has told how he single-handedly fought off three thieves who tricked their way into his home.

Victor Johnson, 85, is still recovering in hospital from arm and chest injuries sustained struggling with burglars who got away with more than £4,000.

The plucky former merchant seaman, who survived four sinkings during the Second World War found himself banged up against the wall and pushed to the floor by the crooks.

The widower was at his home of 52 years, on the Kingswood estate in Basildon, when he answered the door to the man, claiming to be from the water board.

The thief said he needed to check the water system, before starting maintenance work in the area the next day.

Mr Johnson, already suspicious of the man, refused to let him in but he returned later, after claiming to have visited neighbouring homes.

Mr Johnson said: "I let him in and as I asked to see some identification, I heard a bang behind me and another man came down the stairs and grabbed me.

"I was fighting the pair and that's when the third man came in through the front door. What chance did I have? They banged me up against the wall and ran off."

The pensioner ran out into the street, but the thieves had already fled with his cash.

He was later taken to Basildon Hospital, suffering from shock and severe bruising and cuts on his arm.

The pensioner admitted he'd had no thought for his own safety - and would do it all over again.

He added: "I wasn't scared, I was trying to stop them. I was just worried they would take my money, and they did. They even took some money I kept on the mantelpiece, to pay my gas and electricity bill."

Det Con Chris Mathlin said: "All the cases we deal with are serious, but this one rates as one of the more serious, because of the violence used towards Mr Johnson."

The raiders were white and wore distinctive dark, uniform-like clothing.

One had a northern accent, was clean-shaven, aged in his mid 20s and was 5ft 6ins tall.

Another was in his thirties and around 5ft 9ins tall, while the third was more than six feet tall.

Anyone with information about the burglary, at around 4pm on Tuesday January 9, should contact Basildon police on 01268 532212.