WIDOW Josie Newman was left devastated by a violent burglary at her Malmesbury home – but the 91-year-old has been cheered up by a present from a Britain's Got Talent winner.

Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey, who together won the TV talent show in 2012, sent Mrs Newman signed and paw-printed photos after reading the Standard's story about the burglary at her home.

Mrs Newman was thrown from her chair by the burglar, suffering injuries to her arm, but she still managed to raise the alarm by pressing an alarm button.

However, the thief made off with  a number of items which had great sentimental value to Mrs Newman, who has lived in her house in Malmesbury for 26 years.

She said: “I still keep finding things he took, and not just the jewellery – things like a little fan I had on my bedside table.”

Although the culprit has not yet been arrested, Mrs Newman's spirits have been lifted by the present from the famous dog and his owner, as she is a big fan of the pair.

She said: “I want to say thank you very much – I’m thrilled with them and will definitely frame them. They’ll be something to talk about when my friends come over.”

Mrs Newman said she has loved dogs all her life and had three of her own before her husband died.

She said she is also grateful to the local community, charity HEALS Malmesbury and her landlord, GreenSquare, for rallying to help her after the burglary in December.

As well as putting up a fence at the side of her property, GreenSquare installed an alarm which tells her when people come in and out and when the door is closed.

To boost Mrs Newman after the break-in, former Malmesbury police Sergeant Martin Alvis escorted her to a Christmas dinner organised by HEALS, and the charity has played a huge part in helping the pensioner as she tries to overcome the terrifying incident.  

Chairman of HEALS Malmesbury, Gavin Grant, said that he was delighted with the way Mrs Newman has been assisted, and praised GreenSquare for its response so far.

He said: “It’s very important for everybody to feel safe in their own home, but particularly so for older people living in their own home."