POLICE today revealed a spate of burglaries and attacks on pensioners in the space of 48 hours -- but appealed for elderly people not to panic.

The incidents, two muggings and two sneak-in thefts, all happened in Blackburn over the weekend.

Sergeant Paul Broxson of Blackburn Police said: "Fortunately incidents like the muggings are few and far between but if pensioners do feel vulnerable they perhaps should go out with someone else and use public transport."

He added: "We would stress that if people have security measures like door chains then they use them and always ask for identification. If anyone is unsure if a caller is genuine they should call the police."

An 88-year-old woman from Revidge Road was left with cuts to her head and a black eye after being pushed to the ground and mugged on Sunday afternoon, near the junction of St Silas Road and Leamington Road, as she walked ot the shops.

Blackburn CID said a young Asian male grabbed her handbag with £16 as she lay bleeding on the ground.

He was believed to be wearing a prayer cap, and police think he had only recently visited a mosque. Police are liaising with the Asian community.

The pensioner was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary although she was later discharged.

In a second robbery an 80-year-old man with a walking frame was pushed to the floor when he answered the door of his flat in Witton Parade.

The mugger then stole cash from his trouser pockets as he lay on the ground.

At about 6.20 on Friday a man with an Irish accent called at flats in Lingfield Court and asked a 89-year-old resident for a cup of tea. He entered the flat and stole a Rotary watch and a gold ring worth £450.

The burglar was white, in his mid 20s, 5ft 6in to 5ft 10ins tall, with short dark hair and an Irish accent.

In the second incident a man called at a flat in Shakespeare Avenue but fled when the resident asked for identification. He also had an Irish accent.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212.