A PENSIONER was hit five times over the head with an iron bar by a masked burglar who burst into his Rossendale home and attacked him as he lay in bed.

The intruder then fled empty-handed leaving the badly shaken 68-year-old man bleeding from head wounds.

The victim, who lives alone, suffered three deep cuts to his head and wounds on his hands and wrists from trying to fend off the blows.

He was today "satisfactory" in Bury General Hospital where he has had more than a dozen stitches.

The intruder burst in through the front door of the pensioner's council flat at Avon House, in Marsden Square, Haslingden, at around 5.10am on Friday. Police said the burglar then attacked the pensioner as he was lying in bed and struck him over the head with what appeared to be an iron bar.

His attacker was wearing some form of mask with eye holes cut out.

DC Andrew Cooper, of Rawtenstall CID, said: "It was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a defenceless pensioner and we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward."

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw anyone running away from the flat, or anyone with information, to contact Rawtenstall police station on 01706 215242.

Police said robbery was the motive but the intruder did not get any money.

The victim raised the alarm about an hour later at a local newsagents.

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