AN elderly widow was attacked in her home by thugs who smashed her front door down, tripped her up and dragged her outside.

Mrs Alice Mort had returned from a night out at bingo with her neighbour, and suffered two fractured ribs, a dislocated shoulder and cuts and bruises in the attack.

Her teenage attackers got away with £56 including £13 she had won at bingo.

They struck at 9.45pm on Saturday, moments after Mrs Mort, aged 74, had arrived at her bungalow on Mealhouse Lane, Atherton.

Today, the tearful grandmother said: "I feel shaky and shattered. I never usually cry, but since the attack I haven't been able to stop.

"They have made me feel like an old woman - I have never felt like that before."

Mrs Mort, had just shouted "good night" to her friend, her next door neighbour, and had shut the front door when the callous crooks struck. She said: "I locked the front door. I still had my coat on and shoulder bag. I was just turning off the alarm when the front door crashed open. It sounded like an explosion.

"He opened it with such force, that the man fell flat on his face. I was so shocked I couldn't move. He jumped up and snatched at my bag. The strap was stuck under my collar though and wouldn't come off. I fought against him, not realising there were two of them.

"He then tripped me up and I fell flat on my face. The bag was underneath me so he started dragging me outside. He hauled me over the front doorstep and into the garden. It was then that he finally got the bag off me."

The thugs escaped with the bag containing £56. They are described as aged about 16 years, white with dark coloured hair and of slim build. One was wearing a blue or grey sweater and white trainers.

Mrs Mort was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital where her injuries were treated and she was given oxygen. Leigh detectives hunting the men are asking anyone able to help to contact Leigh CID on 0161 872 5050.

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