A GAME 89-year-old Burnley man was forced to the floor and robbed in his own home.

Despite putting up a struggle against the six-feet intruder the pensioner was easily overpowered and robbed of his wallet.

Police are appealing for help in their hunt for the offender who got into the house in Belvedere Road, Burnley, through the insecure front door at about 5.30pm yesterday.

The door was closed but unlocked. When challenged, the intruder pushed the victim to one side and started to search the house.

The pensioner grabbed hold of the offender to try to stop him but was forced to the floor. The man went through his pockets taking a black leather wallet containing £45 cash, a coin holder in the shape of an old threepenny piece containing five £1 coins and a key. Det Sgt Peter McKendrick commented: "It is disturbing that this man was prepared to go through with an offence even though there was someone in the house.

"If the old man had hit his head when he was forced to the floor we could have been looking at something even more serious.''

The offender is described as white, 23-24 years, six feet tall, clean shaven and with short hair.

His victim who has not been named is being re-interviewed today in the hope that more information can be obtained about his attacker.

The house is on a busy road close to the Turf Moor football ground.

Det Sgt McKendrick said: "Although he walked straight into this house through the unlocked door it may be that people have seen him trying other doors in the area.''

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