A NEPHEW listened helplessly on the phone as his elderly aunt and uncle were attacked in their home 250 miles away.

Nicholas Gannaway, of Carlton Avenue, Clayton-Le-Woods, near Chorley, had phoned his aunt Gladys and uncle Walter to wish them happy new year.

But when she asked him to wait while she answered a knock at the door the next thing he heard was the sound of a struggle and screams.

Two men had forced their way into the house and knocked the pensioners to the ground, breaking Gladys's hip.

The 77-year-old dropped the reciever during the attack and all Mr Gannaway could do was listen to his relatives during the struggle. The attackers then made off with cash.

He has since travelled to their home in Lymington, Hampshire, to fit security locks on their doors. Gladys has since undergone surgery on her broken hip.

Walter said: "I am not so worried about the money which was taken, just my sister."

While listening to the struggle Mr Gannaway realised what was happening and managed to get a freind to dial 999 on his mobile while he stayed on the line.

Police went to the house but by the time they had arraived the attackers had made off with £200 in cash and a cheque and pension book.

Police spokesman Lucy Dibdin, of Hampshire Police, said: "This was a terrifying attack and all the nephew could do was listen as it happened. He was extremely upset but managed to get someone on a mobile phone to call the police.

Det Sgt Colin Nagle added: "This was a callous and despicable attack."