A DISTRAUGHT pensioner has made a plea for a burglar to return jewellery which had been in her family for generations.

Hilda Ponway woke up at her home in Dixon Green to find a man searching through the dressing table drawers in her bedroom.

The terrified 85-year-old shouted at him and when she grabbed the telephone by her bed, the thief fled through the back door. He is believed to have got into the house through a small window and ransacked the kitchen and living room before entering the bedroom.

Among the items stolen were a half sovereign on a gold chain, a gold locket, two pairs of earrings and five nine carat gold rings including her gold eternity ring which had two rows of zircons.

The thief also stole a silver engraved ring passed down to Mrs Conway by an aunt who has since died and a silver charm bracelet given to her by a former neighbour who emigrated to Australia.

Mrs Conway said: "Please return my jewellery -- they have huge sentimental value. I had them for many years and they can't be replaced.

"I would like to get my hands on whoever took them. Why should they pick on people like me?

"I want to see the man caught and I want my jewellery back. I was in bed when I heard the handles on my dressing table rattle.

"I sat up and saw a man crouched on the floor looking in the drawers.

"I shouted 'How the hell did you get in here?' and when he saw me pick up the telephone, he ran out.

"Papers were strewn everywhere, bags had been emptied, envelopes were opened.

"I was very scared. At first I thought I was dreaming."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 5050 and ask for Farnworth Police.