A 74-YEAR-OLD MAN suffered a broken hip and head injuries when a callous crook pushed him over when he answered a knock on his door.

The Mosley Common man was watching television at his home on Thornton Road when he opened the door.

He answered the door to a well-built 25-30 year-old man who he didn't recognise. The caller, estimated to be about five feet six or seven inches tall, asked him if he was going to bingo to which the elderly man declined.

He then pushed the pensioner in the chest -- causing him to fall -- then he searched the house and ran off.

The injured householder was taken to Hope Hospital after last Thursday's incident and received treatment for head injuries and a broken hip.

The offender is described as white, clean shaven with short-cropped dark hair and a local accent. He was wearing a dark jumper with horizontal white stripes, dark trousers and carrying a white plastic bag.

A GMP spokesperson said: "The victim received a number of injuries as a result of this attack and has been left extremely shaken by his ordeal. The offender showed no concern for the victim after pushing him over and leaving him without calling for an ambulance.

"This was a cruel attack on an elderly and vulnerable man and I would ask anyone who may have seen the incident or anything suspicious in the area at the time to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7249."