AN 80-year-old woman was pushed over in her home by a thief she caught stuffing her handbag into his jacket.

Luckily, she landed on the settee at her home in Whalley New Road, Roe Lee and escaped injury, although police said she was left shaken.

The thief escaped with a diamond ring, worth £2,000 and a substantial amount of cash.

He left footprints in the snow which led from the rear of the house towards a factory. Police believe he may then have fled in a car.

Det Con Mark Whelan, of Blackburn CID, appealed for anyone who saw the man at the time of the incident -- about 11.30am on Thursday -- to come forward.

The thief called at the woman's house and he could smell gas. He went to check the kitchen and lounge after she invited him in.

But while in the lounge, the woman caught him putting her handbag inside his jacket. She confronted him but he pushed her over on to the settee and escaped.

The diamond ring had two large diamonds and lots of smaller diamonds.

The thief was described as aged 40, of slim build, with brown greying hair in a side parting, a thin face and a pointed nose.

He was wearing a blue three-quarter length jacket.

DC Whelan said: "Anyone in that area who saw someone matching that description or any vehicles should contact the police."

Police also urged pensioners not to let unannounced callers into their homes without seeing identification, and to call the police if in doubt.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Blackburn police on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police say the theft maybe linked to another incident which took place an hour earlier in Mercer Street, Great Harwood.

A man, described as aged 30 to 50, 5ft 5ins, with dark hair and wearing blue overalls and off-white wellies, pushed past a woman in her 80s after claiming he was tidying rubbish at the back of the house.

However, he left soon after without stealing anything. Anyone who saw a man matching either descriptionsshould call Det Sgt Ian Procter on 01254 353334.