AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman attacked in her home managed to stagger to a nearby primary school for help.

Margaret Charlton, who had blood pouring from her wounds, limped to Christ Church Ainsworth CE Primary School 100 yards from her home in Ainsworth. Staff immediately alerted police and called an ambulance.

The attack happened after Miss Charlton, a former Queen's Counsel barrister, answered a knock at the door and was confronted by a man who forced his way in.

He demanded money but when she handed over a small amount of cash, the man punched her. Miss Charlton suffered head, arm and leg injuries.

A Christ Church school spokesman said: "Everyone is absolutely appalled by what has happened.

"She came into the school with a severe head injury and said an intruder had broken into her house and there was a struggle.

"Miss Charlton is a bit of a character. Everyone knows her, she always comes to events at the school."

Neighbour Rachel Riley (29), said: "I saw her as she was being taken away in the ambulance and she is very angry about the burglary.

"We are very close-knit around here and can't believe something like this has happened."

Whitefield CID have launched an appeal following the incident at 2.45pm on Monday (April 22).

Detective Constable Dave Thorpe said he would particularly like to trace two men who were in the Ainsworth area, seeking building work. One was knocking on doors while the other waited in a vehicle.

Det Con Thorpe said: "It was a sad attack on a vulnerable member of a small community."

The attacker was white, in his mid 30s, with dark curly hair and was wearing dark clothing.

Miss Charlton, who is being treated at Fairfield Hospital, Bury, is described as "comfortable".

Anyone with information is asked to ring Whitefield CID on 856 8240 or, alternatively, freephone CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.