A 96-year-old woman was prevented from activating a security system by a robber who barged his way into her flat.

The pensioner was sitting in the ground floor living room of her apartment in St Mary's Court, Sharp Street, Prestwich, when a man knocked on the window at 5.45pm on Friday (Aug 27).

The offender persuaded the victim to open a communal door to the complex and then pushed past. He entered her flat and demanded money.

Police said the elderly lady tried to pull an emergency cord but was prevented from doing so. The man then searched the room and took a purse containing a small amount of money.

A spokesman for Bury police said: "The victim managed to get out of the flat and get help. When she returned the man had disappeared.

"This was a very traumatic incident for the victim."

The police are appealing to anyone who saw anyone suspicious in the Sharp Street area at the time of the robbery to contact Bury Robbery unit on 0161 856 8093 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.