THUGS have left a woman in her 80s battered and bruised and in need of surgery after attacking her on her front doorstep.

Eva Komorek was beaten to the floor as the thieves who robbed her house walked over her to get inside.

Police have revealed the 88-year-old was left with a shattered hip and they are deeply concerned for her health.

They are also offering a substantial cash reward for any information that leads to the capture of Eva's attackers.

The robbery took place in the Bank Top area of Blackburn on Sunday afternoon.

Mrs Komorek was left with cuts and bruises on her face and her broken pelvis was operated on at Blackburn Royal Infirmary yesterday.

One or possibly two men called at Mrs Komorek's house on Sunday. She answered the door with the safety chain on but the robbers kicked it open and forced their way into the house.

Mrs Komorek has told police she was trampled on by the thieves who stole a television, some jewellery and a small amount of cash.

The elderly women was unable to move and the alarm was raised when a neighbour found her around 7.30pm. Detectives have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the area and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Tony Harling, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a vicious attack on a defenceless and very frail lady and we are extremely concerned for her health.

"We believe that the people who did this may be local and probably planned this cowardly and callous attack because their victim was unlikely to offer them any resistance."

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.