A FRAIL 89-year-old widow today spoke of her terror at being attacked during a burglary at her Blackburn home.

And Blackburn CID has asked the town's criminal fraternity to turn in the man who robbed the deaf and partially-sighted woman.

The woman, who lives in the Granville Road area of Blackburn and is not being named, was asleep in her living room when she was woken by a man.

She said: "I was fast asleep when I was shaken by a man, who was shouting at me. I couldn't hear what he was saying, so he took my arm and pushed me upstairs.

"When we got upstairs, he turned around and ran from the house. I have no idea how he got in, but he appears to have kicked in the back door."

The widow made her way downstairs and contacted the emergency services, but discovered the house had been ransacked and a quantity of cash stolen.

She added: "I am so shaken that I still can't hold a cup of tea. This has been the most frightening experience of my life."

Officers at Blackburn CID have issued a description of two men they want to interview in relation to the incident, which happened on Friday afternoon.

DC Mark Lee said: "The offender forced open the door and searched the house while the woman was asleep, then woke her up and hoisted her out of the chair and upstairs, before leaving the premises.

"This was a despicable assault on a frail, elderly lady and we need to catch this person, before he strikes again.

"We are taking the unusual step of asking the criminal fraternity to turn this person in.

"This was an appalling crime and whoever did this is the lowest of the low."

The man is described as dark-skinned, possibly Asian, slim about 5ft 9in to 5ft 11in, in his mid-20s, clean-shaven, with short, black hair, and wearing a distinctive shirt, featuring small black and beige checks.

Just before the burglary, a neighbour of the woman heard a loud bang on his back window and when he answered the door a man asked if he wanted his gutters cleaning.

DC Lee added: "This was possibly a two-man team and we are asking householders approached by cold-callers offering to undertake house maintenance work to contact us also."

The second man is described as white, gaunt-looking and wearing a striped T-shirt.

Witnesses are asked to contact Blackburn CID in confidence on 01254 353563 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.