A DISABLED war veteran and his wife wept tears of joy as they spoke of the kindness which has restored their faith in human nature after a callous raid on their home.

As he spoke, Harry Birch looked around the upstairs of his home for the first time in three years thanks to a new stairlift installed for free after the couple's life savings were stolen.

The couple had spent years saving for the device but last week two bogus social services workers conned their way into their home in Ribblesdale Avenue, Accrington, and took the cash, which was also going to buy Christmas presents for their two children and seven grandchildren. Police are continuing to hunt for the man and woman who distracted the couple and stole their money from the front room.

Gladys, 89, needs two walking sticks and is part deaf and blind, and Harry has been forced to live downstairs because of his disabilities.

Since the theft, local companies have rallied round. Two workmen from Clitheroe-based Affordable Mobility arrived at the couple's home yesterday to fit the stairlift. Their offer was made after staff at the company read the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's article about the theft. The couple have also received cards of support and bouquets of flowers from strangers, while Asda in Blackburn has pledged to give all the couple's grandchildren Christmas presents, and is baking a cake for Gladys' 90th birthday later this month. As Harry took a 'test ride' on his new stairlift, he said: "Nobody knows how much this means to me. Gladys and I had worked towards getting one of these installed but when the money was stolen I never honestly thought I would be able to get upstairs again.

The stress of the theft, on November 27, caused Harry, who spent 10 years in the RAF before becoming a nurse, to have an angina attack which resulted in him being taken to hospital.

But he added: "The acts of kindness Gladys and I have witnessed since what happened last week have really renewed my faith in mankind.

"I always knew there were a lot of good people out there but I didn't realise how many, or how good they were. When the money was stolen it was like they had wrenched my stomach out, I felt that bad. Although I still feel so upset by what has happened, I am overwhelmed by what people have done for me."

Gladys said: "To see him up the stairs and wandering around his own home is fantastic."