A 90-year-old woman was restrained by callous thieves who broke into her home.

The victim heard a knock at her door on Block Lane, Chadderton, at 7pm last night.

She went to the door and asked who was there and the thug replied ‘It’s Jimmy’.

The victim did not recognise the voice and opened the door with the chain still attached to have a look. The thug was still shouting ‘It’s Jimmy, you know me’.

She did not recognise the man and tried to close the door but the man forced the door open and grabbed hold of her, putting his hand across her face and eyes.

A second thug then came into the house and began to search drawers and cupboards.

The victim managed to activate her home help alarm and the two men ran out of the house.

It is not believed anything was stolen.

The victim was taken to hospital to be checked over. She suffered a bump to her head and scratches to her knuckles and has since been discharged.

Detective Constable Mike Patterson from the volume crime team said: “These men have preyed on an elderly woman in her own home. She was understandably terrified and extremely shaken as a result of the attack and these cowards need to be caught to make sure they cannot target anyone else.

“I would urge anyone that may know anything about the men responsible for this cruel robbery to call police, so we can at least reassure the victim that they have been caught.”

The offender who restrained the victim is described as white, aged in his mid 30s, 5ft 11in tall and of medium to heavy build.

He was wearing a black bobble hat, a dark jacket and dark gloves.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the volume crime team on 0161 856 9080 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.