AN 85-year-old woman woke to find a masked thief searching through drawers in her bedroom at her home in Nelson.

Police said the pensioner, who has not been named, had dozed off in bed and was woken by a noise.

The man escaped with items valued at £1,245, including £90 cash, a diamond ring, other jewellery and various documents. The woman was shaken but unhurt.

The thief was a white man in his late teens, with pale skin. He was wearing a black peaked cap and a white silk scarf concealing part of his face. He wore dark clothing.

The incident happened at 8.45am yesterday at a house in Hammond Street.

Police said people were walking dogs on spare land nearby and appealed for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact Nelson CID on 01282 472644.

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